NJDOT: I-80 sinkhole repairs in Wharton expected to take several weeks to complete
The New Jersey DOT made it known that a “void” was found on Sunday during testing and filled on Monday.
More Stories
The New Jersey Department of Transportation says it will be several weeks before the sinkhole that opened up along Interstate 80 in Wharton will be fixed as work to repair that cavity continues.
The sinkhole along the eastbound section of Interstate 80 was covered with a white tarp on Wednesday. The road near Exit 34 is littered with heavy machinery and a cement mixer is within view as work goes on around the clock to repair and fill that hole.
The New Jersey DOT made it known that a “void” was found on Sunday during testing and filled on Monday.
This is the second sinkhole found on the interstate. This one is about 75 feet from the first, which was originally spotted and repaired in late December.
RELATED: Additional testing on I-80 to ensure safety after sinkhole, officials say
RELATED: Detours and congestion: I-80 sinkhole closure puts stress on surrounding communities
An engineer has explained to News 12 New Jersey that this area of Morris County is filled with abandoned iron ore mines. One of those abandoned mines is responsible for the first sinkhole on I-80 and a mine is believed the reason for another that still sits open at a nearby condo complex.
Tony Piccininni owns a condominium at Mountainview Manor right in front of the sinkhole. He says the property manager said it was about 20 feet deep. He says he has been forced to park his pickup out front.
"I pay HOA fees to park in my garage, and I can’t even park in my garage," he says. "Luckily, I work a lot so I’m not here so I don’t really worry about being in the house that much. But if you’re here a lot yeah it’s concerning."
As he waits to see when that hole will be filled, commuters who have relied on Interstate 80 to get to work will have to find an alternative for likely another month.
