Route 80 Closed in Both Directions Due to New Sinkhole, Officials Say

Route 80 is shut down in both directions after another sinkhole was discovered, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Jefferson Mayor Eric Wilsusen stated, “Area mayors were just advised that NJDOT has shut down all westbound lanes on Route 80 due to another sinkhole.”

Previously, a single-lane closure was scheduled from Wednesday at 8 p.m. to Thursday at 6 a.m. before Exit 34B (Wharton) for construction preparations. The work involved removing rumble strips to facilitate a crossover shift of one eastbound lane onto westbound lanes.

Detours & Alternate Routes

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) recommends the following detours for affected motorists:

I-80 Eastbound Exit 34 Detour

1. Take Exit 34 to Route 15 North (Jefferson/Sparta).
2. Stay right onto North Main Street, following signs for Route 15 North.
3. Merge onto Route 15 North at the traffic signal.
4. Stay left for Pondview Drive and make a U-turn at the traffic signal.
5. Merge onto Route 15 South, then take the ramp back to I-80 Eastbound.

Alternate Routes to Avoid the Area

• Route 10 Eastbound: Exit 28 to Route 46 East, then follow signs to Route 10 East → I-287 North → I-80 East.
• Route 46 Eastbound: Exit 28 to Route 46 East, stay in the left lanes to turn left at the traffic signal in Dover, then merge onto Route 15 North back to I-80.

Motorists should expect significant delays and plan alternate routes accordingly.