New jersey's holey highway fully reopens

I-80 in Wharton reopens fully as eastbound lanes return ahead of schedule

WHARTON, N.J. — All lanes on Interstate 80 eastbound in Morris County are set to reopen Saturday morning, four days ahead of schedule, following months of closures due to sinkhole-related road repairs, Governor Phil Murphy announced.

To facilitate the reopening, I-80 eastbound will close completely at Exit 34 beginning at 9 p.m. Friday night for final paving and striping. The closure will remain in place until 9 a.m. Saturday, when all three eastbound lanes are expected to reopen. Westbound lanes fully reopened last Saturday, 11 days earlier than planned.

“Thanks to the work crews and NJDOT staff we have come to the long-awaited opening of I-80 on June 21st,” said Assemblyman Christian Barranco. “While the pain of this closure was felt throughout the district, NJDOT provided a masterclass on project management from beginning to end.”

The highway was impacted by sinkholes earlier this year, prompting phased lane closures and detours as the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) launched an emergency repair operation. Two eastbound lanes reopened on May 21, and westbound lanes partially reopened May 30.

Governor Murphy credited the NJDOT crews, state police, and local officials for working “around the clock” to complete the work. “I am thrilled to see all lanes of I-80 open safely this weekend so we can ensure that New Jerseyans can get to where they need to go efficiently and safely,” Murphy said.

Eastbound detour in place overnight Friday

During the overnight closure, eastbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Exit 34 to Route 15, then follow detour signs through North Main Street, Route 15 northbound, a U-turn at Pondview Drive, and re-entry onto I-80 eastbound via Route 15 southbound.

NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor called the reopening a “massive project” completed through “non-stop” work by transportation crews and contractors. “The repairs are permanent, and I am confident that the highway is now stronger and safer than it was before,” O’Connor said.

The state has created a dedicated I-80 project webpage and is updating traffic conditions at www.511NJ.org. Social media channels are also providing real-time information for motorists.

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