The collapse of an abandoned mineshaft created a giant sinkhole that took out the shoulder and right lane of I-80 east in Morris County, closing part of the busy highway, state officials said Friday.
The crumbling mineshaft caused the 40-foot-by-40-foot sinkhole that appeared on Thursday, state Department of Transportation officials said. A state Department of Environmental Protection map shows three abandoned mines next to I-80 in Wharton.
The area that includes Wharton, Dover, Mine Hill and Rockaway had numerous iron mines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The sinkhole caused massive traffic delays Friday morning as crews kept the highway closed to make repairs. A portion of the highway was first closed after the sinkhole was reported at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
MORE: I-80 still partially closed due to huge sinkhole. Here’s what we know.
An overhead shot by WABC on Thursday showed the round hole opening just at the edge of the right lane. Aerial photos taken Friday show substantial progress NJDOT crews made filling in the hole.
Repair crews stabilized the area and began excavation work Thursday night on the right shoulder and right lane on I-80 eastbound, near milepost 34, officials said.
DOT workers are backfilling the area using wire mesh and stone aggregate, concrete, and other fill, before repaving the roadway, said Stephen Schapiro, an NJDOT spokesperson.
Crews will continue working around the clock to complete the repair and reopen the highway as soon as possible, officials said.
State transportation officials could not provide an estimated completion time due to the extensive nature of the repairs and forecasted freezing rain Friday and Saturday for the northwestern part of the state, including Morris County.
Drivers should continue to avoid I-80 east and use an alternative route by detouring at Exit 28 in Roxbury to Route 46 east.
Motorists can also use a detour at Exit 34 to North Main Street in Wharton and follow the signs to Route 15 south and bearing left on Route 15 South to return to I-80 east.
Stories by Larry Higgs
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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry