By: Matthew Enuco
Source: nj.com (TNS)
A new sinkhole opened up on I-80 westbound near the Route 15 overpass in Morris County while work crews were repairing an earlier sinkhole on the eastbound side of the highway.
The hole opened during drilling operations along the median, according to a New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesperson.
“During the drilling operation, a 15-foot by 15-foot hole opened up in the median,” the spokesperson said. “Out of an abundance of caution NJDOT closed and detoured all lanes on I-80 westbound at Exit 34B/Route 15 northbound.”
The agency is evaluating the situation, according to the DOT spokesperson.
Video from NBC4 New York and ABC 7 in New York above the scene showed a wide open hole along a stretch of roadway just before the overpass.
The sinkhole Wednesday opened near exit 34 in Wharton not far away from where previous sinkholes opened up earlier in the year.
The highway was already closed between exit 34 and the Route 15 overpass for emergency repairs.
Gov. Phil Murphy toured the area of I-80 where the initial sinkholes appeared and declared a state of emergency on March 8 to help open up federal funding to repair the roadway.
“For several weeks now, the residents of Wharton and commuters all across New Jersey have endured major delays,” Murphy said. “While there is no immediate danger, we will continue to do everything we can to help New Jersey commuters get their lives back on track.”
Three total sinkholes have appeared in the same area of I-80 since December which officials said were caused by collapsing mine shafts.
The first sinkhole appeared on Dec. 27 and was estimated to be 40-feet by 40-feet, according to state officials.
A second sinkhole opened on Feb. 10 that was 11-feet by 11-feet and four feet deep on the eastbound side of the highway, officials said.
The second sinkhole opened up about 75 feet from the first one in December.
The area where the sinkholes appeared has at least three abandoned iron mines according to a Department of Environmental Protection map.
The interstate is expected to remain closed for the next two months as repairs are completed and officials test the area for more potential collapses.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow Matt on X
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