Improvements Ahead: Interstate 80 to Reopen Lanes Following Sinkhole Repairs in Morris County

Improvements Ahead: Interstate 80 to Reopen Lanes Following Sinkhole Repairs in Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Motorists can expect positive changes on Interstate 80 in Morris County as crews make progress in repairing the damage caused by sinkholes. New Jersey transportation officials announced that two eastbound lanes are set to reopen on Wednesday evening, with two additional westbound lanes anticipated to open next week.

Residents of western Morris County have faced persisting challenges, dealing with extended delays and increased traffic. These issues began in December when the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft near Exit 34 in Wharton triggered the first sinkhole, creating a long road to recovery for local traffic.

According to the latest update from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), paving for the eastbound lanes was completed early Tuesday, and the final layer of asphalt is currently being applied. Once the asphalt is allowed to cool and set, crews will begin striping the roadway and installing barrier curbs to enhance safety between ongoing construction areas and live traffic.

"Once the lanes are reopened, the detour for I-80 eastbound utilizing Exit 34 will be lifted, restoring smoother passage through the area for commuters," officials stated. The reopening of all lanes, both eastbound and westbound, is scheduled for June 25, pending the completion of required repairs.

As part of the repair process, a speed reduction to 40 mph will be enforced in the eastbound lane through the work zone to ensure safety. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and respect the posted speed limits while passing through the active construction site.

• Two eastbound lanes of I-80 are scheduled to reopen late Wednesday night.
• Two westbound lanes are expected to open by the end of next week.
• All lanes are targeting to reopen by June 25.
• Speed limit reduced to 40 mph in the work zone.
• Continuous 24-hour work shifts by crews until repairs are complete.

Crews previously shut down the westbound lanes as a precaution following a sinkhole formation in the median on March 19, which halted traffic flow. Early hopes to reopen the westbound lanes by April were delayed when testing revealed an additional void beneath the left lane.

In parallel, the eastbound lanes at Exit 34 have been closed since February 10 due to worsening conditions from a developed sinkhole. In response to these disruptions, the NJDOT has launched a dedicated I-80 project webpage, providing ongoing updates about the repair progress, detour alternatives, and other vital information aimed at alleviating congestion.

Residents can also benefit from a new travel time monitoring feature on www.511NJ.org, designed to give real-time updates on travel times for detours and alternate routes, further assisting in easing the burden of traffic delays.