Louisiana, Dec 19, (V7N) - Dozens of vehicles collided on a bridge near New Orleans on Tuesday morning due to dense foggy conditions in Louisiana, leading to a major traffic disaster. More than 40 cars were involved in a series of accidents on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, which led to its closure in both directions for nearly seven hours.

The incident occurred on the southbound span of the Causeway Bridge near mile marker 18 around 8:30 a.m. local time. St. Tammany Parish Fire District #4 spokesperson Jeremy Windom confirmed that emergency services responded to the crash, initially finding an 11-vehicle pile-up. As first responders arrived, additional reports indicated that multiple other accidents had taken place on both the northbound and southbound spans of the bridge, requiring extensive coordination between local and state agencies.

St. Tammany Parish Fire District #4 provided an update around 9:50 a.m., confirming that the bridge was closed in both directions, causing significant traffic delays. The fire department urged drivers to consider alternative routes to avoid the area. The closure impacted commuters for several hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the wreckage and investigate the cause of the accidents.

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, known as the "Longest Bridge in the World Over Water," spans 24 miles across Lake Pontchartrain and connects the cities of Metairie and Mandeville, both part of the New Orleans metropolitan area. Due to the dense fog, visibility was severely limited, contributing to the pile-up.

As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, no further details about injuries or the full extent of the damage have been released. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by foggy driving conditions and the importance of caution on bridges and high-traffic routes.

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