FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 Contact:   Bambi Hall                        

January 30, 2013                                                                                             504-484-0210

UPDATE: DOTD reschedules temporary suspension of Algiers Point ferry service due to inclement weather

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Due to inclement weather, today’s temporary suspension of ferry service at Algiers Point has now been rescheduled for Thursday, January 31, beginning at 6 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., to complete repairs to the Algiers Point Ferry Terminal, announces the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). 

Pedestrians may use the Gretna/Canal Street Ferry or RTA Bus Service as an alternative route to the east bank.  Departures from the Gretna Ferry Terminal are on the half-hour, beginning at 6:30 a.m.  RTA bus routes and schedules can be found atwww.norta.com or by calling 504-248-3900.

Ferry service from Algiers Point will resume at 3:30 p.m., or upon completion of the re-installation. In the event repairs are not complete, the ferry will still resume its route at 3:30 and another temporary closure will be announced for an additional day and time. All planned construction activities are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. DOTD apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your patience as we complete the repairs to the Algiers Point Ferry Terminal.

A portion of the terminal suffered structural damage following Hurricane Isaac. Passengers have been utilizing a temporary ramp, as an alternate loading point, constructed by ferry personnel immediately following the storm.

More information about the CCCD ferries can be found at www.dotd.louisiana.gov/operations/cccd/ or by calling (504) 376-8100. Travelers can also follow the ferries on Twitter.com at Canal_Ferry, Chalmette_Ferry and Gretna_Ferry.  For traffic information, dial 511 or visit www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).  

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 930 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511)

www.dotd.la.gov

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement will host 7 community meetings to present the Neighborhood Participation Plan (NPP) for the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC). These meetings are a chance to gather input from residents on the NPP framework.

The NORDC NPP community meetings for District C will take place on Tuesday, September 25, 2012  at Cut-Off Recreation Center, 6600 Belgrade, 5:30PM until 7:00PM.

After months of community input, research review and discussion, the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office and NORDC recommend a community advisory structure known as the NORDC NPP. A structural framework was approved by the NORDC Commissioners in July, and now the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office will secure additional input as they finalize the full plan.

The focus of the NPP is to create and maintain a clear advisory role for the community and to provide a structured, accessible platform that encourages stakeholder participation from groups and individuals in NORDC decision-making. During these community meetings, NORDC and the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office will solicit input, suggestions and concerns from community members.

For further questions please contact NORDC at: (504)-658-7806.

The Alliance for Good Government will conduct a forum for candidates for the November 6, 2012 election in Algiers on Thursday, September 20, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, 4123 Woodland Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131.

The schedule is as follows:

7:00 pm 2nd City Court Constable

7:20 pm 2nd City Court Clerk

7:40 pm 2nd City Court Judge

8:00 pm School Board District 4

Residents are reporting that the lights came back on between 1:00 am and 1:30 am on 9/5/2012.

If your lights are NOT on, click on CONTACT US and submit your information.

Thank you.

Dear Neighbors,

As you know, the lights went out for about half of Walnut Bend at 7:00pm, about 90 minutes after they came on this evening. I immediately contacted Councilmember Palmer who said she would forward the information along. I also called and texted Entergy, as many of you did.

In addition, I sent a detailed email to CM Palmer and staff and Entergy officials asking of the lights would be back on tonight. I have not gotten a response yet. The email was also forwarded to Council Members Clarkson, Head and Hedge-Morrell (chair of the Utilities Committee). I’m also trying to check into individual concerns that some have asked about.

Please let me know if/when your power comes on again. Walnut Bend was mentioned more than any other neighborhood at today’s City Council meeting and we were assured by Entergy that our lights would be back on today. Having them go out again so quickly just compounds our frustrations.

If anyone has other contacts who may be able to help, let me know. We’ll keep trying to find out what’s going on.

Thanks, Yvonne

Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb, President

Walnut Bend Civic Association