Sinkhole Shuts Down Part of I-80, Repairs Ongoing
The area around the 34-mile marker on Route 80 has been an ongoing traffic and safety disaster since December of 2024. On Thursday, December 26th a massive 40-foot by 40-foot sinkhole opened, most likely caused by an abandoned mine collapsing. Now, a new sinkhole has opened in the area, thankfully not as a sudden massive chasm like the last.
This new sinkhole, which started to appear in the early hours of Monday, February 10th, started as a new depression in the center lane. This second void, which after investigation turned out to be quite large compared to the divot that had formed, has been considered stabilized since the end of February.
The filling and repair of the second void wasn’t the end of the job however, as the section of Route 80 remains closed as the NJDOT and Federal Highway Administration address the long-term safety of this part of the highway. The two sinkholes, especially of their size, appearing in such quick succession has sparked a larger-scale investigation of the conditions under the road.
The investigation has led to over 80 locations being drilled into in order to check for possible voids, with at least 57 needing to be filled in and stabilized. This high percentage of investigated sites needing repairs has led the project to extend well beyond any initial though, with officials from the NJDOT stating that Route 80 “will require a more extensive and lengthy repair than originally though.”
Despite the round the clock work since early February, and even Gov. Phil Murphy declaring a state of emergency in order to get federal assistance to fund the repairs, that didn’t stop the problem from getting worse. On Thursday, March 20th, a third sinkhole has opened, this time a 15-foot by 15-foot hole inching closer to the median and leading to the closure of the West side of Route 80.
The full closure of Route 80 around mile marker 34 has caused immense traffic, leading to the NJDOT advising commercial vehicle drivers to follow their detours rather than relying on what their GPS says, as they may be led to roads with low-clearance bridges or weight restrictions along with an outpouring of frustration from motorists. The traffic closure has even led to Senator Anthony Bucco proposing a temporary expansion of public transit options in the area including opening park-and-rides for commuters to use rather than adding to the horrendous traffic.
