Gov. Phil Murphy discussed the latest updates on the Interstate 80 sinkhole repairs on News 12’s “Ask Gov. Murphy” program.

Murphy said it was “overwhelming” when he first toured the I-80 site in Wharton.

News 12 has covered the I-80 situation significantly. From the actual sinkholes, where some go down 30 to 40 feet, to the impact they’ve had on the neighboring communities. The governor said the state is looking for relief for small businesses like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We need at least five small businesses to come together in order for us to make an application to the Small Business Administration,” Murphy said. The Economic Development Authority is looking into potential small business programs, a little bit akin to the playbook we used during COVID."

Murphy said the emergency repairs to I-80 cost $200,000 per day.

"They’re offering already technical assistance, which we appreciate from the federal government. Money, not yet, but that’s something, God willing, will happen as well," he said.

The governor said mass transit ridership is up since New Jersey Transit began offering a 50% discount on roundtrip travel from some stations to help commuters impacted by I-80 repairs.

"They’ve picked up 130 more riders since last Friday as a result of that,” Murphy said.

The governor said the state is working to make sure parts of I-80 can reopen as soon as possible.

"Our folks think they can open two westbound lanes by the end of the week. That’s going to be subject to testing,” Murphy said.

But the governor said that it could take at least six weeks for the eastbound lanes to reopen.