Sinkhole prompts lane closures on Interstate 80 in New Jersey

WHARTON, NJ– A sinkhole that opened along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey on Thursday forced authorities to close the eastbound lanes of the heavily traveled highway.

The sinkhole was discovered Thursday morning near Wharton, about 40 miles west of New York City.

Crews were evaluating how to repair the sinkhole, which left a gaping depression along the right shoulder of the highway. It’s too early to know how long the repairs will take, said Steve Schapiro, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The closure comes at a time when traffic is lighter than normal due to the holidays, he said. Motorists were ordered to take a short detour before rejoining the highway, which connects northern New Jersey with Pennsylvania.