I-80 in Wharton reopens days after massive sinkhole snarls traffic
WHARTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- I-80 eastbound has officially reopened after days of constant emergency work to repair a massive sinkhole.
Traffic resumed around 8 a.m. Monday morning after crews worked for days around the clock and through the holiday weekend.
The sinkhole first opened up around 7:45 a.m. Thursday just past Exit 34 in Wharton, and swallowed a portion of the shoulder in the eastbound lanes.
Officials say it was caused by an abandoned mineshaft collapse.
Repairs included excavating and stabilizing the 40-foot by 40-foot sinkhole, and the installation of a wire mesh, stone aggregate, and a concrete layer that was topped with additional fill and compacted before several layers of asphalt were put down to reconstruct the road.
"I want to commend the outstanding efforts of the NJDOT and contractor crews that worked tirelessly to get Interstate 80 reopened quickly and safely for the motoring public," Commissioner Fran O'Connor said. "Given the extensive nature of the damage, it is truly remarkable the amount of work that was done in such a short amount of time."
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