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The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has paused all non-essential road maintenance to focus on addressing multiple sinkholes along Interstate 80 in Morris County.. The westbound lanes in Wharton remain closed until further notice due to a 15-foot by 15-foot sinkhole that opened during a drilling operation. This marks the third sinkhole in the area in the past four months, attributed to old mines beneath the roadway.
Assemblywoman Aura Dunn stated that the NJDOT is working tirelessly to repair the sinkholes, which have caused significant disruptions for local commuters. "It's been 24/7 with DOT crews working around the clock to fill these holes," Dunn said. The NJDOT has also halted non-essential roadwork across the state to concentrate resources on these critical repairs.
The sinkholes have prompted the NJDOT to implement both short-term fixes and long-term solutions to ensure the safety and stability of the roadway. Additional testing on the westbound side of I-80 is underway, and plans to shift eastbound traffic onto the westbound side have been postponed until testing is complete. Assemblywoman Dunn is exploring legislative solutions to support local businesses and municipalities affected by the closures.
Traffic is currently being diverted to Route 15 north, and motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and stay informed through real-time updates at 511nj.org. The NJDOT is collaborating with federal and neighboring state transportation departments to manage traffic flow and share resources. The timeline for reopening the affected lanes remains uncertain, as the NJDOT continues to prioritize safety and thorough repairs.