The New Jersey Department of Transportation says that sinkhole repairs on Interstate 80 in Morris County are taking longer than expected.

The DOT originally stated that two westbound lanes were slated to open in nine days. However, the agency says sonic drilling is taking longer than expected, and those lanes are now expected to open at the end of the month.

“Sonic drilling creates less vibration and is necessary for installing micropiles near the Route 15 Bridge on I-80 westbound. All piles are expected to be completed next week. Once the micropiles are installed, excavation will begin in preparation for construction of the concrete slabs,” DOT officials wrote in a statement.

Two eastbound lanes are set to reopen in mid-May. The DOT is expecting to pour concrete next week.

The constant delays in reopening are impacting many local businesses in the area. Many are hoping the repairs are complete by the July 4 weekend, when many people head out to Lake Hopatcong for the holiday.

Businesses along Lake Hopatcong are already seeing impacts from the closures.

“They’re down almost $55,000 in the first quarter, year-to-year, right now, and that’s our offseason,” says Lisa Palanchi, COO of Camp Six Inc. “The news today with the road - the two westbound lanes - not being reopened by May 15 is certainly going to hinder that as well, because again, now is when we really start to pop.”

Officials state that the overall highway reopening date hasn’t changed - all lanes are still expected to be open by June 25.