State Officials Call For 'Swift Action' Following I-80 Sinkhole Crisis

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn has called for “swift action” regarding road maintenance oversights, specifically citing the I-80 sinkhole crisis that New Jerseyans have been dealing with since last year.

Dunn approached the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on Monday, imploring representatives to “act decisively to prevent future infrastructure emergencies.”

The call to action follows the aftermath of an abandoned mine collapsing, resulting in major sinkholes near Wharton, NJ, along I-80 in December 2024. The NJ Department of Transportation has been working for over six months to repair the interstate highway, and eastbound lanes are still partially closed at this point.

See related story: I-80 Sinkhole Repairs Taking 'Longer Than Expected'

Dunn spoke in support of two bills, Bill A5694, which was introduced on May 15, and Bill A5672, of which she is a primary sponsor.

Bill A5694 is primarily sponsored by Rep. Clinton Calabrese and Rep. Linda Carter. The bill would require “underground structural assessment prior to commencing public highway or public transportation projects within close proximity to operating or retired mines.”

Dunn’s bill, sponsored alongside Rep. Michael Inganamort, would establish an abandoned mine reclamation program in the Department of Environmental Protection.

“We need to address that this was a disruption to daily life, a threat to public safety, and a reminder of what happens when we fail to prepare,” Dunn told the committee. “Even now, if you go to the Department of Environmental Protection's website to learn more about our mines ... guess what the message says if you Google it, if you go to the website right now? Page not found. I think that kind of says a lot, doesn't it?”

According to Dunn, the I-80 sinkholes cost the state more than $25 million.

“The state's approach to mine safety so far has been neither comprehensive nor consistent. It has been fragmented, outdated, and reactive,” she said. “As stewards of public funds, we have a duty to act now because failing to plan will only cost more, not just in dollars but in public confidence.”

According to a map from the NJDEP, Morris County has nearly 200 mineshafts beneath its grounds. Townships including Chester, Roxbury, and Washington have at least a dozen or more below their surfaces. The state of New Jersey has nearly 600.

“At a time when public trust and the effectiveness of government are at an all-time low, this comes as a boost in morale, a reminder that government can still work for the people when it matters most, that there are dedicated public servants who step up and get the job done,” Dunn said. “As we pave the nation's corridor, know that together we are paving a path to a more unified, prepared, and resilient New Jersey.”