All lanes of Interstate 80 now run fully in both directions after emergency sinkhole repairs shut down parts of the highway for months in Morris County.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation reopened the eastbound lanes Saturday, June 21—four days ahead of schedule. Crews closed the road overnight Friday to complete final paving and striping near Exit 34 in Wharton. They had already reopened the westbound lanes on June 14, 11 days early.
The full reopening capped a series of staggered restorations. NJDOT reopened two eastbound lanes on May 21 and allowed westbound traffic to resume limited flow on May 30. Sinkholes first appeared earlier this year and immediately forced closures due to unstable ground and damaged drainage systems.
Repair crews excavated the area, stabilized the soil, installed new culverts, and fully resurfaced the road. NJDOT officials said the structural upgrades will prevent future collapses and extend the life of the roadway. Tens of thousands of drivers rely on this stretch each day, which serves as a critical freight and commuter route across North Jersey.
State and local leaders tracked the project closely as crews worked extended shifts to stay on schedule. Despite setbacks from weather and complex underground damage, the team completed repairs faster than expected. Officials credited tight coordination between NJDOT, contractors, state police, and municipal governments for the early finish.
During the closures, traffic patterns in Wharton and nearby towns shifted significantly. Now that the highway has fully reopened, drivers no longer face detours, and regular travel has resumed.
NJDOT does not expect any additional closures.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.