Sinkhole on I-80 stabilized as repairs continue in Morris County; detours enter third day
WHARTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- New Jersey Department of Transportation crews have stabilized the area around the massive 40-foot-by-40-foot sinkhole on I-80 in Morris County that opened on Thursday.
The collapse of an abandoned mineshaft on the side of the road caused the sinkhole that has shut down part of Interstate 80.
Delays in the area have entered their third day, and motorists are advised to use alternate routes. (See below.) Crews are set to remain on the scene and work around the clock to repair the damaged road in the hopes of reopening this portion of the vital corridor as soon as possible.
Officials say it is too soon to determine when the work will be completed. Construction crews were originally hoping to fill the hole by the end of Thursday, but the discovery of the shaft, in addition to the rainy weather this weekend, is likely to make the repairs more complicated.
The sinkhole opened up around 7:45 a.m. Thursday just past Exit 34 in Wharton, swallowing a portion of the shoulder and encroaching on the right lane going eastbound.
I-80 East in this area will remain closed until further notice. Drivers should plan to take the following detours that remain in place:
I-80 eastbound Detour:
- Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta
- Stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta
- Stay in the left lane on North Main Street to Route 15 southbound/To I-80/Dover
- Merge onto Route 15 southbound
- Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound
Route 46 eastbound Alternate Route:
- Motorists on I-80 eastbound are advised to take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure
- Continue on Route 46 eastbound
- Stay in the left two lanes to turn left at the traffic signal to continue on Route 46 eastbound
- Turn left onto Route 15 northbound in Dover back to I-80
- or Continue on Route 46 eastbound for about 12 miles and stay left for I-80 eastbound
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