Photo: Getty Images
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will modify the I-80 eastbound detour at Exit 34 tonight for bridge deck repairs in Wharton. This routine maintenance is unrelated to ongoing Route 15 bridge work. Motorists will follow a detour via Route 15, East Dewey Avenue, and back to I-80 eastbound.
The repairs come amid ongoing challenges with sinkholes in the area. A month after a sinkhole shut down the eastbound section of Interstate 80, NJDOT crews continue to work around the clock to address the issue. According to NorthJersey.com, 90 potential voids have been identified beneath the roadway, requiring further investigation or repairs. Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency to access federal funding for repairs, as reported by the State of New Jersey.
Local businesses have expressed concerns about the impact of the closures on profits, while residents grow frustrated with prolonged traffic disruptions. Roxbury Mayor Shawn Potillo has advocated for a crossover lane on I-80 to ease traffic during repairs, with the design expected soon. NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor stated that safety remains the top priority as crews work to stabilize the roadway and assess necessary repairs.
The sinkhole site is just 75 feet west of another that caused a four-day closure in December. The ongoing repairs and detours are expected to continue for several weeks, with no definitive timeline for completion. NJ.com reports that additional roadway testing is necessary due to another significant void discovered recently.