Sinkhole Worsens, Causing Road Collapse On I-80 In Morris Co.: NJDOT

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The sinkhole that opened in the center lane of I-80 east in Wharton before Monday's morning commute has worsened, officials warned late Monday evening.

State transportation officials alerted the public that while NJDOT crews were conducting boring tests on I-80 eastbound in Wharton to assess a new depression in the center lane, road conditions worsened and a larger sinkhole formed.

“Emergency repairs are always dynamic situations, and conditions can change quickly. While conducting tests of the roadway to determine the extent of the damage, conditions worsened,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said.

The new sinkhole is 75 feet from the one repaired in December, though the area where that sinkhole was fixed remains stable, officials said.

"Crews will continue to work 24-hours-a-day until the repairs are complete," O’Connor added.

State Sen. Anthony Bucco visited the site Monday morning, where DOT workers were hopeful repairs could quickly reopen the busy highway. However, Bucco said Monday night that the situation appears to be more severe than anticipated.

"I want to thank Commissioner O’Connor and his team at the DOT for their vigilance in identifying the initial road depression and moving quickly to prevent any accidents or serious harm this situation could have caused," Bucco said. "I will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they are available but please do not hesitate to call my office if you have any questions or if you need any assistance."

As a result, I-80 eastbound will remain closed until further notice. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.

All traffic is currently being detoured at Exit 34. However, drivers are encouraged to use Exit 28 to take Route 46 eastbound or Route 10 eastbound to bypass the area. This exit is several miles before the closure.

The department has outlined alternative routes, including:

• Route 46 East: Drivers can exit at Exit 28, follow signs for Route 10 or Route 15, and reconnect with Route 80.
• Route 80 East Detour: Motorists are directed to exit at Exit 34, take Route 15, then North Main Street, and back onto Route 15 south before reentering I-80 eastbound.

"The Department is working with local officials to minimize the impact of the additional traffic on neighboring communities as best as possible," O’Connor said.

Electronic message signs are notifying drivers of the closure, and officials urge motorists to check 511nj.org for real-time traffic updates. The complete timeline for repairs is still unknown.

This new sinkhole comes less than two months after a large 40-foot by 40-foot crater in Wharton closed part of the highway for four days. That sinkhole was later determined to have been caused by the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft, leading to significant delays and detours for commuters.

Repairs included stabilizing the sinkhole and reconstructing the roadway, with crews installing a stone base, wire mesh, a concrete layer and several layers of asphalt.