Interstate 80 in New Jersey Plagued by Sinkholes, Causing Extensive Closures and Travel Delays
North New Jersey is grappling with a series of sinkholes that have opened up on Interstate 80 (I-80) since December, leading to significant road closures, traffic disruptions, and commuter frustration. The most recent incident, a 15-by-15-foot sinkhole, emerged just after 5 p.m. on a Wednesday in Morris County, approximately 25 miles northwest of Newark, according to Steve Schapiro, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). This latest event occurred in the median of a work zone on eastbound I-80, as detailed on the department’s website, further exacerbating the already challenging situation.
The string of sinkholes has caused considerable disruption to travel in the region, with portions of I-80 having been closed for nearly four months, according to a report by the Bergen Record, a part of the USA TODAY Network. The NJDOT has identified two other recent sinkhole incidents, further highlighting the severity of the problem. Following the discovery of the second sinkhole in February, the eastbound lanes of I-80 were shut down. In response to the latest sinkhole, officials made the precautionary decision to close the westbound lanes as well. Crews have been working around the clock to stabilize the area surrounding the median following Wednesday’s incident.
"It has not yet been determined when I-80 westbound may be safe to reopen," the NJDOT stated, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the restoration of normal traffic flow. Repairs are currently underway on the latest sinkhole, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for Morris County on March 8 to facilitate access to federal funding. The next step involves applying for emergency federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to aid in the repair efforts.
In the aftermath of the sinkhole that formed in February, the NJDOT initiated geotechnical testing on both eastbound and westbound I-80 to investigate the underlying causes of the roadway instability. The department is also implementing drilling and grouting techniques to stabilize eastbound I-80. This process involves filling holes and small voids, allowing crews to identify areas that require the most extensive repairs. The Bergen Record reported that the NJDOT has already identified 90 locations along the interstate that require assessment due to potential instability.
As of Friday afternoon, crews were engaged in the drilling and grouting phase of the stabilization process. Once this phase is completed, expected to occur in mid-April, crews can begin the physical repair of the latest sinkhole. The repair process will involve excavating the affected area and installing a base of large stones topped with a wire mesh. Additional stone and a concrete layer will then be placed over the wire mesh. Filling and soil placement will follow, with compaction to ensure stability. Finally, multiple layers of asphalt will be added to complete the road surface.
"Once the repair begins, it is expected to take approximately one month," the NJDOT announced, providing a tentative timeline for the restoration of traffic flow.
The transportation department has provided detour information and alternative routes for drivers affected by the I-80 closures, which can be accessed at www.tinyurl.com/NJDetours.
The NJDOT spokesperson, Steve Schapiro, told USA TODAY that the three sinkholes were caused by the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft. Timothy Bechtel, a senior professor of geosciences at an institution in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, told the Bergen Record that most sinkholes are caused by precipitation and begin with a manmade void or a natural cave.
He explained that sinkholes are analogous to hourglasses. "When you first flip it over, there’s unconsolidated material," he said. "There’s sand at the top and down below, there’s an opening." Floods and substantial rainfall push soil downward, ultimately leading to the formation of a sinkhole at the surface.
Although the National Weather Service has reported that New Jersey has experienced less overall precipitation than normal over the past year, the storms that have occurred have been characterized by high intensity, as reported by the Bergen Record. There were also multiple strong earthquakes last spring, although Bechtel suggested that the sinkholes in New Jersey would have manifested sooner if the earthquakes were a significant contributing factor.
"Earthquakes can loosen the soil," he acknowledged, but "I’d expect that they’re probably not implicated in these sinkholes."
The situation surrounding the sinkholes on I-80 is complex and multifaceted, requiring a coordinated effort from various agencies and experts. The NJDOT is actively working to stabilize the affected areas, repair the sinkholes, and restore normal traffic flow. The declaration of a state of emergency by Governor Murphy and the application for federal funding underscore the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to addressing the challenges posed by these geological events. The continued monitoring and assessment of the roadway, along with the implementation of geotechnical testing and stabilization techniques, are crucial for preventing future sinkhole formations and ensuring the long-term safety and stability of I-80. The detours put in place will help to provide some relief while construction is undergoing. The project will take approximately one month to complete.
