"Road To Relief" Bill Aims To Help Businesses Affected By Sinkholes

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Senator Anthony Bucco proposed legislation Monday providing financial assistance to local businesses affected by the ongoing Route 80 repairs.

The "Road to Relief" bill aims to develop a one-million dollar grant program with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to address transportation costs. It would also provide tax relief for small businesses negatively impacted by the I-80 sinkholes.

“While an open and safe I-80 is the ultimate goal, it is hard to guarantee a timeline. My legislation gives the local businesses and workers a guarantee of recourse amid so much uncertainty. It provides them with direct financial relief,” Dunn said in a statement released by the NJ Assembly GOP.

The third sinkhole that opened on March 19 resulted in I-80 closing in both directions and detoured traffic to Route 15.

The ongoing construction is costing approximately $150,000.00 per day, according to Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia in a post on the social media site X. "The New Jersey State Police has assigned 27 officers daily—6 at the site and 21 managing traffic and detours in the surrounding areas,"she posted.

If the "Road to Relief" bill passes, tax credits would be applied to the small businesses in the areas affected by the construction on Route 80, including essential workers who have lost wages.