WHARTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) – A sinkhole closed a stretch of Interstate-80 on Monday morning—less than two months after a sinkhole shut down the same interstate in the same city.
The sinkhole emerged shortly before 6:45 a.m. on the eastbound side of I-80 at Exit 34/Route 15 in Wharton, Morris County, according to the state Department of Transportation. No injuries were reported.
A "depression in the center lane" was being investigated by crews, who will "evaluate the situation, determine the extent of the damage, and stabilize the area in order to design a repair," according to the DOT.
The DOT said the cause of the depression has not yet been determined and that I-80 eastbound will remain closed "until further notice."
The severity of the sinkhole wasn’t immediately known and it was unclear how long the fix could take.
After the last sinkhole formed on Dec. 26, crews worked “around the clock” for four days to fill it in and patch the roadway, sparking major traffic issues.
Officials determined the 40-by-40-foot sinkhole—which was also at Exit 34 in Wharton—was caused by the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft.
As for Monday's sinkhole—all traffic was being detoured at Exit 34. Drivers were advised to use Exit 28 to take Route 46 eastbound or Route 10 eastbound to avoid the area. The DOT put out the following detour routes:
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 left two 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
or
• Continue on Route 46 eastbound for about 12 miles and stay left for I-80 eastbound
I-80 eastbound Detour:
• Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route
15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta
• Stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta
• Stay in the left lane on North Main Street to Route 15 southbound/To I-80/Dover
• Merge onto Route 15 southbound
• Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound