49

Major Sinkhole Shuts Down I-80 Westbound in Wharton, NJ

A substantial sinkhole, measuring 15 by 15 feet, has caused an indefinite closure of the westbound lane of I-80 at Exit 34 in Wharton, New Jersey. The closure has resulted in traffic reroutes and is already impacting local businesses amidst ongoing repair efforts. FOX 5’s Meredith Gorman provided coverage from the site, highlighting the disruptions faced by drivers.

Ongoing Traffic Closures

In addition to the westbound lane, both eastbound and westbound sections of Route 80 near Exit 34 will remain closed as crews address multiple sinkholes linked to abandoned mines beneath the area. This latest incident follows the discovery of an earlier 11 by 11-foot sinkhole in the eastbound lane in February.

Repair Efforts in Progress

State authorities, including Governor Phil Murphy, have declared a state of emergency for Morris County following the emergence of the February sinkhole, hoping to expedite federal assistance for repair operations. To ensure road safety, crews are tasked with stabilizing the area, testing subsurface conditions, and implementing a monitoring system before reopening the highway.

Monitoring Updates

Officials urge the public to monitor repair progress via a dedicated NJDOT webpage. Furthermore, motorists are advised against relying solely on GPS for detour routes, as these could lead drivers onto local roads. Instead, recommended detours have been established to mitigate traffic impacts.

Recommended Detour Routes

For I-80 Eastbound Traffic:

• Take Exit 34 to Route 15 (Wharton/Dover/Sparta)
• At the ramp’s end, stay right toward Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta/Picatinny Arsenal
• Stay in the right lane on North Main Street following signs for Route 15 North/Jefferson/Sparta
• Bear right toward Route 15 northbound/Picatinny Arsenal
• Use both lanes to make a U-turn at Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Route 15 southbound
• Stay left to exit to I-80 eastbound

For I-80 Westbound Traffic:

• Take Exit 34B to Route 15 north/Jefferson/Sparta
• Keep left on Route 15 northbound
• Use the left two lanes at Pondview Drive for a U-turn onto Route 15 southbound
• Stay right to take the ramp to I-80 westbound

Alternate Routes:

For traffic on Route 10 eastbound, motorists are advised to:

• Take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, several miles prior to the closure.
• Continue on Route 46 eastbound, then turn left onto Route 10 eastbound.
• Take the exit to I-287 northbound and then the ramp to I-80 eastbound.

The Impact of Sinkholes

Since the onset of winter, New Jersey has witnessed multiple sinkhole incidents on Route 80. Notable among these are:

• A large 40 by 40-foot sinkhole on the eastbound shoulder near mile post 34, which was repaired in December 2024.
• An 11 by 11-foot sinkhole in the center lane at Exit 34, announced and stabilized in February 2025.
• The recent 15 by 15-foot sinkhole that emerged in March 2025.

Background Context

The triggering factor for these sinkholes is the collapse of abandoned mines beneath the highway, with approximately 600 mines existing throughout New Jersey, particularly in nine northern counties. The region has a historical background of mining activities dating back to the 18th century, primarily for iron, copper, and other minerals. Although many mines have since been closed, their long-term impact on surface stability poses ongoing risks.

Local Reactions

Businesses in the vicinity are already experiencing declines in revenue as detours disrupt usual traffic patterns. Jim Hill, owner of the Knotty Pine Pub, noted a slight downturn in business: “I’m down 10, 20%, which isn’t devastating but it hurts a little bit.” Meanwhile, residents of the nearby Avalon Apartment Complex are expressing concerns regarding building integrity due to cracks they attribute to the sinkhole activity.

“In response to the recent sinkholes, we engaged third-party experts and structural engineers to conduct comprehensive inspections of the property… to ensure our residents’ continued safety,” stated AvalonBay Communities.

Efforts to manage the situation and ensure public safety remain a priority for the New Jersey Department of Transportation as work on I-80 continues.

Source link