Canal Street Ferry
Encyclopedia
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, connecting the foot of Canal Street
Canal Street, New Orleans
Canal Street is a major thoroughfare in the city of New Orleans. Forming the upriver boundary of the city's oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter , it acted as the dividing line between the older French/Spanish Colonial-era city and the newer American Sector, today's Central Business District.The...
in the Central Business District
New Orleans Central Business District
The Central Business District is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the French Quarter/CBD Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Iberville, Decatur and Canal Streets to the north, the Mississippi River to the east, the New Orleans Morial...
of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
with Algiers on the West Bank. As of 2009, the Jackson Avenue – Gretna Ferry now operates through the Canal Street landing as well.
It carries automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s for $1.00 (from the West Bank to the East Bank, free for the return trip) and bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
s and pedestrian
Pedestrian
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
s for free. The Crescent City Connection Division
Crescent City Connection Division
The Crescent City Connection Division is an agency within the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The purpose of the CCCD is to plan, construct, operate, maintain and police all Mississippi River crossings in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Bernard Parishes...
of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is a state government organization in charge of maintaining public transportation, roadways, bridges, canals, select levees, floodplain management, port facilities, commercial vehicles, and aviation which includes 69 airports, in the U.S....
operates the ferry. Ferries depart daily from the West Bank on the hour and half hour, beginning at 6 a.m. (06:00) Departures from the East Bank are on the quarter hour and three quarters hour, the last leaving at 12:15 a.m. (00:15).
History
The Ferry has been in regular service since 1827.After Hurricane Katrina the ferry's schedule was changed, ending daily service at 8 p.m. (20:00) Urged by the New Orleans City Council and special interest groups, such as the citizens group Friends Of The Ferry, the state extended hours again in August 2007.
The Ferry in the film Déjà Vu
The Ferry figures prominently in the 2006 film Déjà Vu. A major plot point in the film involves a fictional terroristTerrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
attack on the Ferry. Pyrotechnics and special effects simulated one of the ferry boats being blown up.
Some aspects of the depiction of the Ferry in the film are contrary to real life. Notably in the film people driving on to the Ferry are required to leave their cars and go to the upper level during transit. In real life there is no such restriction; people may step out of their vehicles or remain inside them. Also, letters marking the two terminals "CANAL ST" and "ALGIERS" were temporarily erected on the terminal roofs during filming.
External links
- Crescent City Connection Ferries
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and DevelopmentLouisiana Department of Transportation and DevelopmentThe Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is a state government organization in charge of maintaining public transportation, roadways, bridges, canals, select levees, floodplain management, port facilities, commercial vehicles, and aviation which includes 69 airports, in the U.S....
, Locations and Characteristics of Ferries - Ferry webcam on nola.com
- Friends of the Ferry