DOT: Unclear how long repairs surrounding Route 46 will take following Warren County landslide
Crews must stabilize the hillside before Route 46 can be reopened in the area. They are also working to prevent future landslides from happening.
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The New Jersey Department of Transportation is working to repair the area around a major roadway in Warren County damaged by flooding and a landslide over the weekend.
Officials with the DOT say that it will take some time before things go back to normal. Crews must stabilize the hillside before Route 46 can be reopened in the area. They are also working to prevent future landslides from happening.
“Really every tree is now exposed. The root systems are exposed. They’re there, but a very minor wind can knock all of them down,” says Chris Feinthel, senior director of operations for the DOT.
Many residents say that they have lived through landslides in the area before, but they say it's never been like this. The slide filled the streets and their homes with debris.
“This is the worst. This is definitely the worst. Like, not again. I knew what was coming,” says homeowner Nancy Dornich.
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DOT crews have been working since Sunday cutting down trees as part of a two-phase plan to stabilize the hillside and divert water from homes and businesses.
“We’re going to try to de-water or stabilize the site by redirecting the water and then there we’re going to go right into a cleanup,” Feinthel says.
Feinthel says the water is coming from a creek that flows through the wildlife management area.
“It now takes a very sharp right turn, and that water is into all of the Manunka Chunk tunnels,” he says.
Crews are trying to find ways to fortify the hillside to better protect Route 46 and the homes and businesses down below. They say it is unclear when the work will be completed.
“Our engineers are going to look at this very closely and see what we can do to increase the drainage system up there. Change anything to protect that roadway and businesses around it,” Feinthel says.
Route 46 is closed between Upper Sarepta and Knowlton roads until further notice.
