I-80 East Closed in Wharton, NJ Due to Sinkhole Investigation

I-80 East in Wharton, New Jersey, has been closed due to a possible sinkhole, echoing a similar incident from December. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) shut down all eastbound traffic at Exit 34 after a depression was observed in the center lane early Monday morning. Traffic is being diverted, with significant delays reported as motorists are advised to seek alternate routes, such as Route 46. The previous sinkhole, which opened in late December, measured 40 by 40 feet and was caused by the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft, a common issue in the area known for its historical iron mines. Crews are currently assessing the situation, but no injuries have been reported and the timeline for reopening the highway remains unclear. This ongoing situation is causing traffic backups of up to eight miles as NJDOT evaluates the new depression.