New sinkhole shuts down both lanes of I-80 in New Jersey
New sinkhole opens on I-80 in New Jersey
Another sinkhole has opened on I-80 in Wharton, New Jersey—this time on the opposite side of the highway. As crews worked to repair a previous sinkhole, a new 15-by-15-foot hole appeared along the median near Exit 34, forcing both sides of the highway to shut down. This marks at least the third sinkhole in the area since December, and transportation officials say the ground beneath I-80 is riddled with voids from old mines, making future collapses possible. FOX 5's Teresa Priolo has the story.
NEW YORK - A new sinkhole has appeared on I-80 near Exit 34 in Wharton, New Jersey, forcing a full highway closure. The 15-foot by 15-foot hole opened in the median, on the opposite side of the highway from a previous sinkhole that had already caused major delays.
Crews were already working on repairing the first sinkhole when this new collapse occurred.
What we know:
Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-80 in Wharton, New Jersey, are now shut down due to a newly formed sinkhole. Officials say a "significant void" was discovered beneath the eastbound lanes, raising concerns about roadway stability.
The first sinkhole was detected on February 10, leading to the closure of the eastbound lanes.
While repair crews have been working continuously since to fix the affected area, the new sinkhole has forced the closure of both lanes as crews assess the damage.
Why Does This Keep Happening?:
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the ground beneath I-80 is unstable due to voids left by old mines that were closed and paved over. Over time, these underground spaces give way, leading to recurring sinkholes.
What's next:
The Hopatcong Police Department says that all traffic is being diverted to Route 15 North as a result of the sinkhole.
There is currently no timeline for when I-80 will fully reopen.
NJDOT is assessing the stability of the highway and considering long-term solutions to prevent further collapses.
The Source: This story was written using information from FOX 5 staff and crews.