Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and NJ Gov. Phil Murphy tour site of I-80 sinkhole in Wharton
WHARTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spent time on Saturday in New Jersey touring the site of a new sinkhole that opened up on I-80 in Morris County this week.
Secretary Duffy joined Gov. Phil Murphy and Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. in Wharton as crews continue to repair the sinkhole that has snarled traffic in recent days.
NewsCopter 7 was over the scene after the sinkhole opened up near Exit 34. The NJ Department of Transportation says that during a drilling operation, a 15-foot by 15-foot hole opened up in the median.
Out of an abundance of caution, the state agency closed and detoured all lanes on I-80 westbound at Exit 34B/Route 15 northbound until further notice.
The site is close to another sinkhole already under repair that opened up and impacted traffic on the eastbound lanes of I-80 in February. A 40-foot by 40-foot sinkhole, which officials said was located just 75 feet away from the February one, opened up in December.
Officials said that there is currently no immediate danger to people who live near the sinkholes.
"This has been a nasty situation now for the past couple of months and it's only gotten worse," Murphy said.
The issue lies underground, as officials say abandoned mineshafts underneath I-80 are collapsing and creating the craters in the road.
During his Saturday tour, the transportation secretary emphasized the importance of a coordinated local, state and federal response in repairing the roadway impacted by the sinkhole.
"This is a massive artery that can't be shut down, and so everyone is working together to figure out what solution we need to make sure we can open up this roadway again," Duffy said.
Murphy says the goal is to reopen the westbound lanes of I-80 within the week, but work on the eastbound side will continue for another 6-8 weeks.
Starting Monday, NJ Transit will offer a 50% discount on roundtrip travel for those impacted by the ongoing repair work.
ALSO READ: Investigation into I-80 sinkholes reveals dozens of locations at risk
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