Debris damages New Roads ferry

• Advocate Baker - Zachary bureau
• Published: Nov 6, 2009 - Page: 5B

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ST. FRANCISVILLE — State highway officials took the 35-car ferry operating between St. Francisville and New Roads out of service Thursday morning after debris in the Mississippi River damaged the vessel’s propeller.

The state Department of Transportation and Development is moving a 17-car ferry from Edgard to the site, where service is scheduled to resume Sunday, a DOTD news release said.

Vehicle restrictions for the 17-car ferry calls for no trailers, no more than two axles and no more than six wheels.

Large trucks and trailers are advised to use the Interstate 10 Mississippi River Bridge or U.S. 190 Mississippi River Bridge.

When service resumes, the operating hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

Before traveling, drivers may call the Toll-Free Ferry Information line at (888) 613-3779 for the status of the ferry, or visit the “Ferry Status” page on the right-hand side of the DOTD Web site.

Drivers also may access updates on the ferry via Twitter by visiting http://www.twitter. com/ StFran_Ferry.

After creating a Twitter account, drivers receive automatic updates on the ferry’s status via their Twitter Web page or text message.

For questions about DOTD’s Twitter page or any other DOTD-related questions, contact DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (877) 4LA-DOTD,  (877) 452-3683.

The center’s normal business hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.