I-80 in Wharton, N.J. fully reopens after months of sinkhole repairs
I-80 in Wharton, New Jersey fully reopened Saturday after months of sinkhole repairs.
There was one last full closure Friday night so all three eastbound lanes could be paved and traffic stripes could be added. All westbound lanes reopened last week.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the State of Emergency declared back in March due to the construction and closures would be lifted effective 5 p.m. Saturday.
The major highway has been partially shut down to repair a series of sinkholes that started appearing last December and kept developing.
"I am thrilled to see all lanes of I-80 open safely this weekend so we can ensure that New Jerseyans can get to where they need to go efficiently and safely" Gov. Phil Murphy said. "Importantly, I want to thank the thousands of New Jerseyans who have been impacted by these sinkholes for their patience as we worked to secure this roadway. I also want to thank NJDOT Commissioner Fran O'Connor, the NJDOT crews, and the New Jersey State Police who have worked around the clock to open this highway safely."
"With the reopening of all lanes on I-80 eastbound this Saturday, full mobility will be restored on I-80 in both directions ahead of schedule," O'Connor said.
O'Connor said the repairs "are permanent," and that he believes I-80 is now "stronger and safer than it was before the first sinkhole developed. The engineering and magnitude of work that went into stabilizing and strengthening this road for decades to come is truly remarkable."
