New Orleans City Council members told a state transportation official Thursday that under no circumstances should ferry service be reduced or cut altogether.

"We're talking about the connectivity to people, to jobs and that is what economic development is about," says Transportation Committee chair Kristin Palmer.

Crescent City Connection toll money can no longer be used to fund the ferries, meaning the operation of the Algiers Point ferry will be reduced and the Gretna ferry will cease operations come July 1.

Future funding for those ferries is being worked out by the Regional Planning Commission.

Meanwhile, DOTD administrator Mike Stack told the committee they're working on solutions to alleviate traffic congestion on the east bank expressway right after you cross the CCC. He says they're planning to create a turn lane on the riverbound expressway at Tchoupitoulas.

"We're gonna squeeze in a little turn lane at that intersection to try to move those trucks and get them off the elevated section," Stack said.

The Annunciation-Tchoupitoulas on-ramp is also a choke point, Stack said.