Massive Sinkhole Keeps Parts Of Route 80 Shuttered: What To Know

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The 40-foot sinkhole that yawned open in the shoulder of route 80 east in Morris County Thursday has left all eastbound lanes closed as officials scramble to come up with a solution.

The closure began at approximately 7:45 a.m. Thursday, just past Exit 34 in Wharton (mile marker 34). Drivers have a couple options to bypass the newly-formed chasm:

Route 46 eastbound Alternate Route:

• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are advised to take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure.
• Continue on Route 46 eastbound.
• Stay in the left two lanes to turn left at the traffic signal to continue on Route 46 eastbound.
• Turn left onto Route 15 northbound in Dover back to I-80.

or:

• Continue on Route 46 eastbound for about 12 miles and stay left for I-80 eastbound.

I-80 eastbound detour:

• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta.
• Stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta.
• Stay in the left lane on North Main Street to Route 15 southbound/To I-80/Dover.
• Merge onto Route 15 southbound.
• Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound.

NJDOT crews responded immediately and are on site continuing to evaluate the situation, determine the extent of the damage, and stabilize the area in order to design a repair. The cause of the 40-foot by 40-foot sinkhole has not yet been determined, officials noted.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information. For NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT, on the NJDOT Facebook page, or Instagram @NewJersey.DOT.