Large sinkhole in New Jersey backs up heavily traveled highway for miles

The New Jersey Department of Transportation said postulation is being rerouted aft different 15-foot by 15-foot sinkhole opened successful the halfway median connected Interstate 80.

The spread is simply a effect of drilling operations successful the I-80 eastbound enactment zone, officials said.

This sinkhole opened adjacent wherever operation crews were already moving to hole existing holes connected the eastbound broadside of the continent-spanning roadway.

SINKHOLE IN NEW JERSEY KEEPS I-80 CLOSED AFTER A SECTION COLLAPSES INTO AN ABANDONED MINE

NJDOT archetypal reported a sinkhole successful February that was stabilized the adjacent time and that crews had recovered different important void but filled it with grout.

"The Department volition proceed its appraisal portion processing an due plan and repair. Early indications are that the repair volition instrumentality a minimum of respective weeks," NJDOT said successful a statement.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation says a monolithic 15-foot sinkhole opened successful the halfway median connected Interstate 80 wherever operation was already underway. (New Jersey State Police)

They had antecedently said that I-80 eastbound was expected to stay closed for astir 2 much months arsenic exigency repairs continued, but the caller holes whitethorn hold repairs adjacent further.

"The drilling and grouting enactment is outlining the country that volition necessitate a much extended repair. We expect to measurement advancement not by however galore locations are drilled and grouted each day, but by however galore days each determination volition instrumentality to beryllium drilled and grouted," NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. "This signifier of the repair is expected to instrumentality different 4 weeks, with the full repair apt to instrumentality astir 2 months.

MISSING GRANDMA BELIEVED TO HAVE FALLEN IN SINKHOLE WHILE SEARCHING FOR LOST CAT: 'NEVER CAME BACK'

Traffic was reportedly backed up for miles aft a detour was enactment successful spot truthful NJDOT could measure the concern precocious into the evening.

Gov. Phil Murphy recently declared a authorities of emergency due to the I-80 repairs.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently declared a authorities of emergency due to repairs connected Interstate 80. (AP/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

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Wharton Mayor William Chegwidden said they are doing what they tin to mitigate the affected areas, adjacent though it's a national issue.

"It's not truly our problem. It's a national road, a authorities road, but that being said, we person to woody with each the aftermath that comes astir present and that's what we've been doing," Chegwidden said.