PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A series of massive sinkholes has forced the complete shutdown of Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey, prompting an emergency response from state and federal officials who described the damage as unprecedented.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy arrived at the scene Friday alongside New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Congressman Tom Kean Jr., surveying the devastation that has crippled one of the region’s busiest highway corridors.
“State troopers say they’ve never seen anything like this,” Duffy posted on X.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is leading the repair effort, with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Duffy emphasized that the response is a unified, nonpartisan operation focused on restoring critical infrastructure. “This is not political, it’s about making sure the American people are taken care of,” he wrote.
Photos from the scene show deep sinkholes spanning multiple lanes, some reportedly large enough to swallow entire vehicles. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries, but officials say the damage could take days or longer to assess and repair.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of I-80 remain closed between Parsippany and Paterson. Detours have been established, but traffic backups extended for miles on adjacent routes, causing major disruptions to commuters and commercial traffic.
Federal officials are expected to announce emergency funding and logistical support in coordination with state engineers. No timeline has been given for full reopening.
The cause of the sinkholes has not yet been confirmed but is under investigation by geological and structural experts.
