Maintenance work triggers vibration alarm, briefly closing I-80 eastbound in Wharton Borough
WHARTON BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — Maintenance work near Interstate 80 Exit 34/Route 15 in Wharton Borough briefly shut down the highway Tuesday after setting off a vibration monitor installed during recent sinkhole repairs, according to New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesperson Steve Schapiro.
When one of the monitors is activated, the New Jersey State Police close the highway as a precaution.
“It was quickly determined that the work in the area was the cause of the alarm and all lanes on I-80 eastbound were reopened,” Schapiro said. “Traffic has been restored without delay.”
The sensor system was installed following a massive sinkhole that formed in December 2024, which closed eastbound lanes near Exit 34 for several days. A smaller cave-in in February and another sinkhole in mid‑March prompted further emergency repairs and proactive corridor stabilization, including drilling and grouting operations.
