WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding $25 million to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) for new ferry boats in Cameron and Plaquemines parishes.
The grant will finance the design and construction of two ferry boats, one for Cameron Parish and one for Plaquemines Parish. The new Cameron ferry boat will provide continued access across the Calcasieu Ship Channel. The Plaquemines ferry boat will provide continued access across the Mississippi River between Highway 23 and Highway 39 at Pointe à la Hache and between Belle Chasse and Scarsdale.
The funding is provided through the Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Rural program, which is authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“I opposed the Infrastructure bill in its totality based on unwavering principle. However, the bill is now law and funding has been allocated. We are doing everything we can to advance Louisiana projects,”said Congressman Higgins.“I am glad to see funds delivered for a new ferry in Cameron Parish. Long wait times and ferry outages are a challenge for Cameron residents. This grant funding, combined with a recent federal transportation loan, provides the state with much-needed resources to upgrade its fleet.”
