UPDATE: Assemblywoman Aura Dunn provides update on ongoing sinkhole repairs on I-80 in Wharton Borough
WHARTON BOROUGH, NJ (Morris County) – All lanes on I-80 westbound are closed and detoured at Exit 34 to Route 15 northbound in Wharton Borough due to emergency construction, NJDOT said.
“Area mayors were just advised that NJDOT has shut down all westbound lanes to Route 80 West due to the discovery of another sinkhole,” said Eric Wilsusen, Mayor of Jefferson Township, on Facebook on Wednesday.
“A 15-foot by 15-foot hole opened up in the median of the I-80 eastbound work zone. Out of an abundance of caution, NJDOT closed and detoured I-80 westbound at Exit 34B/Route 15 north. We are in the process of evaluating the situation,” NJDOT said.
The right lane on I-80 westbound was scheduled to be closed Wednesday night to remove rumble strips on the shoulder as part of ongoing emergency sinkhole repairs on I-80 eastbound in Wharton Borough. However, due to another sinkhole opening, all westbound lanes were unexpectedly closed and detoured at Exit 34.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) had been finalizing a design for a crossover to shift one lane of I-80 eastbound traffic onto the westbound side, which would reduce westbound traffic to two lanes. This plan aimed to keep large commercial vehicles on I-80, reducing their presence on detour and alternate routes, but the recent sinkhole has caused additional delays in this effort.
I-80 eastbound remains closed at Exit 34.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
