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The Canal Street Ferry, also known as the Algiers Ferry, is a ferry across the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana, connecting the foot of Canal Street in the Central Business District of New Orleans with Algiers on the West Bank. As of 2009, the Jackson Avenue – Gretna Ferry now operates through the Canal Street landing as well.
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It carries automobiles for $1.00 (from the West Bank to the East Bank, free for the return trip) and bicycles and pedestrians for $2.00 one way. This increase in price from (formerly) free took effect February 23rd, 2014. The Crescent City Connection Division of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development 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 (2005) 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 terrorist 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.