Overview of the Situation

Traffic on I-80 westbound at Exit 34 in Wharton, New Jersey, has been severely disrupted due to the emergence of a large 15-by-15-foot sinkhole. This situation has resulted in an indefinite closure of both the eastbound and westbound lanes in the affected area, where ongoing repairs are necessary.

The new sinkhole appeared on Wednesday, following the detection of a previously reported 11-by-11-foot sinkhole in the eastbound lane back in February. Both incidents are attributed to the collapse of abandoned mines located beneath the highway.

Emergency Response and Traffic Management

To address the hazard, crew members are focused on repairing the sinkholes, conducting subsurface tests, and establishing a monitoring system. In response to the recent sinkhole issues, Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency in Morris County, an initiative aimed at accelerating repair efforts with potential federal assistance.

Detour Information for Motorists

State officials advise drivers to avoid relying on GPS for alternate routes, as many digital services may direct them onto local roads. Instead, the following detour recommendations are in place:

I-80 Eastbound Exit 34 Detour

• Take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta.
• Stay right at the end of the ramp, following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta/Picatinny Arsenal.
• On North Main Street, remain in the right lane and follow Route 15 North signs.
• Bear right toward Route 15 northbound/Picatinny Arsenal.
• Make a U-turn at the Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Route 15 southbound.
• Exit to I-80 eastbound.

I-80 Westbound Exit 34B Detour

• Take Exit 34B to Route 15 north/Jefferson/Sparta.
• Keep left on Route 15 northbound.
• Utilize the left two lanes at Pondview Drive for a U-turn onto Route 15 southbound.
• Stay right to take the ramp back to I-80 westbound.

Alternate Routes for I-80 Traffic

Motorists approaching I-80 eastbound are also encouraged to consider Route 10 or Route 46 as effective bypass routes:

• From I-80 eastbound, exit at Route 46 eastbound.
• Continue on Route 46 to Route 10 for connections to I-287 northbound.

Impact on Local Businesses and Communities

Local businesses in Wharton are feeling the effects of the interrupted traffic flow. Jim Hill, owner of a local pub, reported a downturn in business earnings by approximately 10-20%. Meanwhile, residents living in proximity to the sinkhole express concerns about structural safety, particularly regarding cracks observed in nearby buildings due to the sinkhole activity.

“My business hasn’t taken a major hit, but some of the businesses in town have,” said Jim Hill. “I’m down 10, 20%, which isn’t devastating but it hurts a little bit.”

AvalonBay, the management company for an apartment complex near the sinkhole, assured residents that safety assessments conducted by independent experts indicate no significant structural changes.

Background on Sinkhole Formation

The recent sinkhole developments highlight ongoing concerns regarding infrastructure in areas with abandoned mines. New Jersey is home to nearly 600 such mines, which pose risks for infrastructure stability. The mining history, particularly in the northwest regions of the state, has led to vulnerabilities that can result in sinkholes and other geological emergencies.