Massive Sinkhole Occurs On New Jersey Interstate

A massive sinkhole occurred on Interstate 80 in New Jersey on Friday, causing the eastbound lanes to close.

Videos of the sinkhole show the guardrails suspended over a 40-foot-wide hole on the eastbound lane.

The sinkhole was caused by an abandoned mine collapsing.

Take a look:

Massive Sinkhole exposes forgotten tunnel
Shuts Down I-80 in NJ today

A collapsed abandoned tunnel caused a 40-foot-wide sinkhole, forcing detours and extensive repairs.

If we remembered our History, this wouldn't happen🫤 pic.twitter.com/a8xiyLwORx

— Tartaria (@TartariaLives) December 27, 2024

Sinkhole on Route 80 in Jersey. Yikes 🕳️ pic.twitter.com/Tlj7s0ofp2

— 𝓜𝔂 𝓪𝓲𝓶 𝓲𝓼 𝓾𝓷𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰. (@HoodieGenji) December 26, 2024

Here’s what AP reported:

Road crews were repairing a short stretch of Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey on Friday where a sinkhole forced the eastbound lanes to shut down, but it was still unknown when they will reopen.

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The highway’s guardrail still hung suspended in the air across the gaping 40-foot-wide (12-meter) hole, which opened up when an abandoned mine collapsed under the highway’s right shoulder Thursday morning, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The sinkhole has forced motorists to take a short detour near Wharton, which is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of New York City.

Crews have stabilized the area and started excavating. They will work around the clock to the repair the roadway, the highway department said Friday.

The timing of when the eastbound lanes will upon depends on how extensive the repairs will be and the upcoming weather, the department said. Drivers should continue to expect delays and use alternate routes.

Some users on X connected the sinkhole to the recent drone sightings in New Jersey:

🚨#BREAKING! MASSIVE Sinkhole in NEW JERSEY! SAME County as the MAJOR Drone SIGHTINGS!

THIS MORNING! 12/27/24
A sinkhole opened up on Interstate 80 in Wharton, New Jersey during rush hour this morning, closing eastbound lanes in Morris County.#Sinkhole #NewJersey pic.twitter.com/Z5imVkhGej

— In2ThinAir (@In2ThinAir) December 27, 2024

Per USA Today:

A massive sinkhole formed Thursday off the shoulder of a heavily trafficked interstate highway in New Jersey, forcing motorists to take detours to avoid the area.

The sinkhole formed after a section of the right lane and shoulder collapsed near the Wharton exit on Interstate 80 eastbound, about 40 miles west of New York City. Officials estimated that the depression stretched 40 feet wide and 40 feet deep.

As of Thursday, all lanes of I-80 eastbound were closed, forcing travelers to find alternate routes, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The department had not released an update as of early Friday morning, and it remains unclear what caused the sinkhole to form.

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