Current Situation

The massive sinkhole has created significant challenges for drivers and commuters. Traffic congestion on the eastbound lanes has forced many vehicles onto alternate routes, leading to increased travel times. Local business owners, particularly those in the vicinity of the incident, are reporting a decline in customer traffic.

Impact on Local Businesses

Vasilios Staikos, owner of the Red Hut Diner, commented on the situation: “They’re coming from everywhere. You know they’re coming from the woodworks because everybody is starting to find a new way.” Despite the extra traffic on alternate routes like Routes 15 and 46, businesses like his are suffering.

He further elaborated, “We lose what we have, forget to get the new clients. The person who’s on the highway is not going to stop. If it takes them like half an hour to get somewhere and now it’s two or three hours, they’re less likely to settle for a coffee or breakfast.” This sentiment is echoed by other local business owners who fear lasting damage to their revenue streams.

Government Response

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has addressed the situation, emphasizing the dual impact on commuters and businesses. “One is commuters who are getting crushed. Hopefully the NJ Transit piece can play a small role. The other is small businesses in the area getting crushed,” he stated.

Repairs to the westbound lanes may take several weeks, with some estimates indicating that the eastbound side might remain closed for an additional two months. “We were hoping tests would show that the westbound lanes, we could open a couple of those maybe as early as this week. That’s not going to happen unfortunately,” Murphy added.

What’s Next?

In an effort to support affected businesses, the Small Business Administration is prepared to assist with low-interest loans. Additionally, the state’s Economic Development Authority is working to provide additional relief strategies.

The sinkhole crisis, which began three weeks ago, highlights underlying geological issues. According to the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the ground beneath I-80 is unstable, partly due to voids left by abandoned mines that were later paved over. These continued geological shifts are leading to repeated sinkhole dilemmas.

Traffic Alternatives

For those needing to navigate around the sinkhole, a live traffic map from NJ511 can be accessed to identify alternate routes. Uncertain travel conditions are expected to persist as repair efforts continue.

Click here for real-time traffic updates.