The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) reported a new sinkhole on I-80 in Wharton, New Jersey, which has led to the complete closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes. The latest incident occurred near Exit 34, where a 15-foot by 15-foot hole appeared in the median while crews were undertaking repairs on a previously identified sinkhole.

Sinkhole Details

The new sinkhole follows an earlier collapse detected on February 10, which previously restricted traffic in the eastbound lanes. The formation of this additional sinkhole is causing significant disruptions as officials assess the stability of the highway.

• The sinkholes have been attributed to underground voids caused by abandoned mines.
• Previous sinkholes in the area have raised alarms about ongoing risks and possible future collapses.
• Authorities are closely monitoring the condition of the roadway to ensure public safety.

Current Traffic Management

In response to the latest sinkhole development, the Hopatcong Police Department has diverted all traffic to Route 15 North. This bypass aims to manage congestion and maintain road safety as crews continue to evaluate the impacted area.

As of now, there is no definitive timeline for when I-80 will fully reopen to traffic.

Ongoing Assessments and Future Measures

The NJDOT is involved in a thorough evaluation of the sinkhole situation and the broader geological conditions affecting I-80. The presence of voids from long-abandoned mining operations poses a challenge for infrastructure maintenance and safety. Plans for long-term solutions are being considered to prevent future incidents of this nature.