Major Sinkhole Shuts Down Eastbound Interstate 80 in New Jersey

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wharton NJ, a large sinkhole has disrupted travel on Interstate 80 in Wharton, Morris County, forcing the closure of the eastbound lanes for emergency repairs. The closure, which began Thursday morning, is causing significant delays and rerouting traffic.

Key Details About the Sinkhole

• Location: The sinkhole is located near milepost 34, just after Exit 34 on I-80 East.
• Extent: The sinkhole has impacted the right shoulder and encroached into the right lane.
• Current Status: Eastbound I-80 remains closed while repair crews work to stabilize the roadway. The westbound lanes are unaffected.

Detours in Place

Motorists traveling eastbound are being directed to follow detour signs for Route 15 South to navigate around the closure. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is advising drivers to expect delays and plan alternate routes.

Travel Chaos During Busy Holiday Period

The sinkhole could not have come at a worse time, as many New Jerseyans are traveling after Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations. According to AAA, over 119 million people were expected to travel during the year-end holiday season, creating a perfect storm for traffic disruptions.

What Causes Sinkholes?

Sinkholes are depressions in the ground caused by the sudden collapse of the surface layer. They can occur due to natural processes, such as:

• Intense Rainfall
• Flooding or Drought

Or due to human activities like construction and aging infrastructure.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) notes that regions with karst terrain, where groundwater dissolves underlying rock, are especially prone to sinkholes. On average, sinkhole damages cost at least $300 million annually in the United States.

Updates and Next Steps

The DOT has not provided an estimate for when the repairs will be completed. Officials have promised to release an update once the highway is safe to reopen.

For now, drivers are urged to check for real-time traffic updates and stay informed about alternate routes.

 

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