Lake Pontchartrain Causeway reopens after 50 cars pile up during fog

Footage from a local fire department shows the long line of stalled or crashed cars on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on the morning of Dec. 17, 2024. (St. Tammany Parish Fire)

The world's longest bridge over water reopened Tuesday evening after a series of six crashes earlier that morning involving 50 vehicles, which left 33 people hospitalized, police say. Carlton Dufrechou, the general manager of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, confirmed that fog was one of the causes of the accidents.

Thick fog blanketed the bridge on Tuesday morning before the accidents were reported. The bridge was closed for eight hours, but the northbound lanes were cleared and reopened just before rush hour on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite thick fog blanketing the bridge again on Wednesday morning, police implemented rolling convoys to control speeds and enhance safety for travelers.

"This morning's fog should be mostly burned off by noon," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jacob Hinson said. While Wednesday night will be clear, additional fog may form Thursday night into Friday morning in the New Orleans area, but the threat should be minimal for the weekend.

In October 2023, eight people were killed when 160 vehicles piled up on I-55 in southern Louisiana during a "superfog" event.