Major Repairs On I-80 Sinkhole To Take 3 More Weeks, Officials Say

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A stretch of highway in Morris County remains closed more than a week after a massive sinkhole opened in the center lane of I-80 East in Wharton, and repairs are now expected to take longer than initially anticipated.

While the Department of Transportation has not given an estimate for when Route 80 in Wharton will fully reopen, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn said Monday evening that repairs are expected to take at least three weeks, depending on weather conditions.

Dunn stated that her office received an update on the sinkhole on Monday, noting that crews have identified additional structural issues, which will require more work to fully stabilize the roadway and ensure long-term safety.

Crews are now working around the clock to stabilize the roadway. Drilling locations have been identified, with 11 spots drilled and four filled so far.

"I understand the concerns about the integrity of this major corridor. Safe, reliable infrastructure is not a luxury, it is a necessity," Dunn said. "Rest assured, I will continue monitoring the situation and advocating for the resources needed to get this done right."

The sinkhole, which occurred on Feb. 10, measures 11 feet by 11 feet and is four feet deep, according to the DOT.

The impacted section of roadway is located just 75 feet from where another sinkhole opened in late December, shutting down the road for four days. That sinkhole was later found to have been caused by the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft, resulting in significant delays and detours for commuters.

The DOT stated last week that that area remains stable.

A modified detour on Route 80 East at Exit 34 in Wharton was introduced over the weekend at the request of local officials and in coordination with them to minimize traffic disruption in neighboring communities, the DOT said.

Here is the new I-80 eastbound Exit 34 Detour:

• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta
• At the end of the ramp, stay right following signs for 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
• At the traffic signal, merge onto Route 15 northbound
• Stay left, following signs for Pondview Drive/U and Left Turns
• Using both lanes, make a U-turn at the Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Rout 15 southbound
• Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound

Drivers are reminded to plan ahead and check 511nj.org for real-time updates.