Eastbound I-80 closed until further notice after sinkhole opens up in Morris County
WHARTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Interstate 80 East in New Jersey will be closed until further notice after a sinkhole opened up during rush hour Thursday morning, shuttering eastbound lanes in Morris County.
The sinkhole opened up around 7:45 a.m. just past Exit 34 in Wharton, swallowing a portion of the shoulder and encroaching on the right lane.
As of just before 10 a.m., westbound lanes were still open, but police warned of an increased amount of traffic diverted through town and urged drivers to avoid Route 8 if possible until the situation is fixed.
The cause of the 40-foot by 40-foot sinkhole has not yet been determined.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes, such as Route 46, or use the following detour that remains in place.
Drivers should plan to take the following 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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