Westwego proposes a Mississippi River taxi, amid reduced ferry operations in the state

Westwego officials hope to generate interest in a ferry that could stop at the city's Lazy River Landing at Sala Avenue.

For decades, a Mississippi River ferry carried passengers between Westwego and Walnut Street at Audubon Park, until the Huey P. Long Bridge opened in 1935. Now Westwego officials hope to revive a pedestrian-only river taxi linking their West Jefferson city to Uptown New Orleans, even as the state has shut down three ferry lines in recent weeks.

Westwego City Councilman Glenn Green on Monday plans to introduce an ordinance that would authorize Mayor Johnny Shaddinger to negotiate with the state Department of Transportation and Development and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. Green, whose District 1 includes the Westwego ferry landing, is cautiously optimistic, given the budget-tightening that is affecting ferry operations in the state.

"Nothing beats a failure but a try," Green said Thursday. "So I thought I'd give it a try."

Westwego already has the Lazy River Landing at the foot of Sala Avenue, a $2.5 million, state-funded structure the city built for riverboats. It received heavy damage during Hurricane Katrina, when loose barges hit the landing. The damage has been repaired.

"I have a fully equipped boat landing just sitting there, ready to be used," Green said. "It would be a great tourist opportunity because of Audubon Park and things we have here in Westwego."

Shaddinger said the city has had plans to expand the landing area, including more parking. The city now wants to let state and RTA officials know they have an operable landing that could serve pedestrians in the western end of West Jefferson. "There's no question of it being a long shot, but at the same time we just want to let them know to keep us in mind," he said.

If recent history is of any indication, however, Green could be raising a losing proposal. Citing a lack of state funding, the transportation department has stopped ferry operations in St. John the Baptist Parish, Iberville Parish and the line that linked downtown Gretna to Canal Street. Whether the transportation department would entertain more ferry operations is unclear, but state officials have considered the proximity of bridges in deciding whether ferry lines will continue. Westwego's landing is just downriver from the recently-widened Huey P. Long Bridge.

The RTA, meanwhile, is considering taking over the Algiers/Canal Street ferry line. The RTA board of commissioners on Monday heard from Algiers Point residents who worry about how costly fares that appear to be inevitable on the line will affect service industry workers who rely on it.

"We think it's a good idea," Shaddinger said of the Westwego ferry. "Whether it's feasible, we'll let the state and the RTA to decide that."

Spokesmen from DOTD and RTA did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Asked if he expects his plan to work out, Green said, "I don't have any expectations that it won't."

"It doesn't mean it'll happen," he said. "But at least we'll get the process started."

Green, who attended Monday's RTA meeting, said his plan would require a landing at Audubon Park. A ferry would provide West Bank residents with access to the park, the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and Tulane and Loyola universities and other Uptown schools.

The ferry could carry east bank passengers to see Westwego's historical district that includes Sala Avenue and the Farmers and Fishers Market, and the Bayou Segnette State Park, Green said. "It would really be a vehicle or growth for both sides of the river," he said.

"It's something that needs to happen, so I'm trying to make it happen," Green said.