Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Transportation closed and detoured I-80 eastbound at Exit 34 in Wharton, Morris County on Monday, February 10 after a depression in the center lane was observed.

While NJDOT crews were conducting soil tests that night, the roadway collapsed. Crews excavated and stabilized the 11-foot by 11-foot sinkhole that was approximately four-feet deep. The compromised roadway is 75 feet away from a 40-foot by 40-foot sinkhole that was repaired in the right shoulder of I-80 eastbound near mile post 34 in late December 2024.

When the sinkhole developed in February, the Department immediately began a series of geotechnical tests on I-80 eastbound and westbound to gain an understanding of subsurface conditions.

A drilling and grouting operation is ongoing to stabilize I-80 eastbound and to determine the area in which more extensive repairs are needed. These operations are expected to be completed in mid-April.

On March 19, an approximately 15-foot by 15-foot sinkhole opened up in the median in the I-80 eastbound work zone. Out of an abundance of caution, NJDOT immediately closed and detoured all lanes on I-80 westbound at Exit 34B/Route 15 northbound. Crews worked overnight to stabilize the area around the median sinkhole and are testing I-80 westbound to confirm the roadway’s integrity to determine what is necessary to reopen I-80 westbound. It has not yet been determined when I-80 westbound may be safe to reopen.

Once the drilling and grouting operations are complete, repair of a subsurface void will begin. This repair will be similar to the design implemented to repair the sinkhole in December. Once the repair begins, it is expected to take approximately one month.

EMERGENCY REPAIR PHASES

The path to completing emergency repairs and reopening I-80 eastbound has several phases. The timing for each phase has not yet been determined. However, the entire repair is expected to take approximately two months:

• Geotechnical tests to assess the condition of the roadway base are complete. These tests established our work area and helped identify approximately 150 locations to drill and grout.
• Drilling and grouting operations to probe subsurface conditions are expected to be completed in mid-April. This work is stabilizing the area under the roadway by filling holes and small voids and outlining the area where a more extensive repair is required.
• Repairing the sinkhole will be the next phase. The repair will be similar to the design implemented in December. It will include excavating the area, installing a base of large stone with a wire mesh on top. More stone and a concrete layer will go over the wire mesh. Additional fill and soil will be placed on top of the concrete and compacted before several layers of asphalt will be applied to reconstruct the road.
• Quality assurance testing will be done while repairs are being made and following completion of the repair to ensure the long-term stability of the roadway and the integrity of the repairs.
• Installing a monitoring system to track surface and underground conditions will be done as part of the repair. There will be three types of monitors. Remote sensing technology on poles will scan the pavement for changes, while sensors beneath the road will detect early signs of subsurface movement. Deeper underground devices will monitor long-term soil stability.
• Milling and paving the work area for a safe, smooth driving surface and reopening the road is the final phase.

EMERGENCY FUNDING

Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency for Morris County on March 8 to enable access to Federal funding. The Declaration was one step in the process to apply for emergency federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). NJDOT is continuing to work with FHWA.

TRAFFIC MITIGATION

The Department is continuing to work closely with local officials and the New Jersey State Police to improve mobility along the detour and alternate routes in the region.

Due the significant impact of the closures, GPS and other map services may reroute traffic onto local roads that are not designed to handle commercial vehicles or increased traffic volume. This is particularly important for trucks as there are low bridges and weight restrictions on many roads in the area. Please remain on the designated detours or alternate routes. Follow all posted signs and regulations, and if you are approaching an intersection, please “Don’t block the box.”

In addition, the Department has adjusted the timing of signals on Route 15, Route 10, and Route 46, which serve as the detour and alternate routes, respectively. NJDOT and New Jersey State Police will continue to monitor traffic conditions and make adjustments as necessary to mitigate delays. We ask motorists to avoid the area, plan extra travel time, and be patient while repairs are ongoing.

NJDOT also is using technology to send messages to commercial truckers to provide information about the closure, detour, and alternate routes. The Department is also using digital messaging signs and working with our regional transportation partners to share information so drivers can make informed decisions about potential alternate routes to take.

DETOURS AND ALTERNATE ROUTES

I-80 eastbound traffic is being detoured at Exit 34. The following detour remains in place:

I-80 eastbound Exit 34 Detour:

Motorists on Route 15 southbound wishing to take the bridge over Rockaway River will be directed to:

• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta
• At the end of the ramp, stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta/Picatinny Arsenal
• Stay in the right lane on North Main Street following signs for Route 15 North/Jefferson/Sparta
• Bear right toward Route 15 northbound/Picatinny Arsenal
• Stay left, following signs for Pondview Drive/U and Left Turns
• Using both lanes, make a U-turn at the Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Route 15 southbound
• Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound

I-80 westbound traffic is being detoured at Exit 34B. The following detour is in place:

I-80 westbound Exit 34B Detour:

Motorists on Route 15 southbound wishing to take the bridge over Rockaway River will be directed to:

• Motorists on I-80 westbound will be directed to take Exit 34B to Route 15 north/Jefferson/Sparta
• Keep left on Route 15 northbound
• Use the left two left lanes at Pondview Drive to make a U-turn onto Route 15 southbound
• Stay right to take the ramp to I-80 westbound

Route 10 eastbound Alternate Route:

• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are advised to take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure
• Continue on Route 46 eastbound
• Stay right to take Route 10 eastbound
• Take the exit to I-287 northbound
• Stay right to take the ramp to I-80 eastbound

Route 46 eastbound Alternate Route:

• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are advised to take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure
• Continue on Route 46 eastbound
• Stay in the two left lanes to turn left at the traffic signal to continue on Route 46 eastbound
• Turn left onto Route 15 northbound in Dover, back to I-80
• Stay right to take the ramp to I-80 eastbound
OR
• Continue on Route 46 eastbound for about 12 miles and stay left for I-80 eastbound