Another sinkhole on I-80 has closed all eastbound lanes of the highway in Morris County this morning.
State Department of Transportation officials closed the highway after a depression in the center lane of I-80 eastbound was observed at 6:45 a.m., Monday, said Stephen Schapiro, a spokesperson.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the highway was closed and detoured at Exit 34 in Wharton which goes to Route 15,” he said.
NJDOT crews responded and will evaluate the situation to determine necessary repairs, he said.
“It is too early to speculate on the cause of the depression.” he said.
A sinkhole closed the highway’s right lane in Wharton for several days in late December while crews repaired the damage. The DOT blamed the sinkhole on a collapsed, abandoned mine.
Drivers need to make a similar detour around the latest sinkhole by using Exit 28 to take Route 46 east or Route 10 east to avoid the area.
“This exit is several miles before the closure,” Schapiro 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.
Stories by Larry Higgs
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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry