MANCHAC, La. — Ten days after a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 claimed the lives of seven people, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has completed safety inspections of the bridge near Manchac, La.
It is believed that a mixture of dense fog and smoke from nearby wildfires – or "super fog" – led to the crash, which stretched a mile in length and involved 168 vehicles, on the morning of Monday, Oct. 23.
According to the DOTD, inspection analysis of both the northbound and southbound lanes show partial deck replacement is required on lanes in both directions.
Southbound repairs have already begun in the area of the crash site. The DOTD will close I-55 southbound for a six-hour period this weekend in which crews will switch the single-lane closure in the damaged area.
Contractors will begin on the northbound lane on Monday.
All repairs are expected to take up to two weeks to complete.
The DOTD will announce details of this weekend's southbound closures once details are finalized. Meanwhile, northbound motorists must use Old U.S. Highway 51 as an alternative route until repairs are completed.
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