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Interstate 80 in Wharton, New Jersey, is set to reopen today after crews worked tirelessly to fill a massive sinkhole. The sinkhole, which measured 40 feet by 40 feet, appeared last Thursday (December 26) during rush hour near Exit 34, causing significant traffic disruptions. The sinkhole developed due to the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft, a remnant of the area's historical iron mining activities.
Repair crews have been working around the clock since Thursday night to stabilize and fill the sinkhole. They used wire mesh, stone aggregate, and concrete to backfill the area before repaving the roadway. Despite the progress, state transportation officials have warned that weather conditions could delay the reopening. They plan to provide updates throughout the day.
According to NJ.com, the sinkhole took out the shoulder and part of the right lane of the highway, but no injuries were reported. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has been providing periodic updates on the situation and advises motorists to check their traffic information website for real-time travel information.
As reported by Construction Equipment, the NJDOT spokesperson Stephen Schapiro mentioned that crews would continue working to ensure the highway reopens as soon as possible. In the meantime, drivers are advised to use alternative routes, such as detouring at Exit 28 in Roxbury to Route 46 east or using Exit 34 to North Main Street in Wharton.