MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. (1010 WINS) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has requested federal funding to help get commuters moving on Interstate 80 again after sinkholes led to months of closures and delays.
Murphy declared a state of emergency in Morris County, which enables him to access federal funding and apply for emergency relief to repair damages to the highway and affected area.
“For several weeks now, the residents of Wharton and commuters all across New Jersey, have endured major delays and disruptions as a result of the sinkholes that have opened up here on I-80,” Murphy said. “While there is no immediate danger to the public, we will continue to do everything we can to help New Jersey commuters and families [get] their lives back on track.”
The affected area was damaged due to a collapsed mine under the highway’s eastbound shoulder near Exit 34, officials said. The 11-by-11 foot sinkhole emerged on Feb. 10, less than two months after a larger 40-by-40 foot sinkhole was repaired.
Crews with the New Jersey Department of Transportation have been performing around-the-clock emergency repairs and stabilization work, and Murphy is looking to expedite the process with federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA will provide funds if a road has suffered serious damage due to natural disaster or another external cause.
“Safety is our primary concern—for the crews working around the clock, for the motorists that have been impacted, and for the residents and businesses in the neighboring communities,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said.
“As the proactive drilling and grouting continues, we are narrowing in on the area that will require a more extensive repair.”
Murphy toured the affected area Saturday alongside O’Connor, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Pat Callahan, legislators and local elected officials who support the governor’s decision.
“I saw firsthand this morning the huge impact this highway closure is having on Morris County towns along I-80,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., who represents the area. “This is a serious issue that we have to work together at all levels of government to fix and safety of our residents is our shared priority here. I will be advocating daily for all federal resources necessary to get I-80 restored to full capacity.”
Kean said that he plans to work with state and local officials to come up with transportation alternatives, and that he is looking into temporary incentives from NJ Transit for residents in the affected towns to use mass transit.