I-80 Eastbound in Wharton to Remain Closed for Two More Months Due to Emergency Repairs

WHARTON, N.J. – The eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 (I-80) in Wharton, Morris County, will remain closed for approximately two more months as emergency repairs continue following severe roadway damage, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced.

As part of the ongoing repairs, NJDOT is finalizing a crossover design that will shift one lane of I-80 eastbound traffic onto I-80 westbound, reducing westbound traffic to two lanes. This shift aims to keep large commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers on the highway and off local roads, where detours remain in effect. Once the design is completed, the crossover is expected to take two weeks to construct.

“The drilling and grouting work is outlining the area that will require a more extensive repair. We expect to measure progress not by how many locations are drilled and grouted each day, but by how many days each location will take to be drilled and grouted,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “This phase of the repair is expected to take another four weeks, with the entire repair likely to take about two months. We are finalizing a design to build a crossover to shift one lane of I-80 eastbound traffic onto I-80 westbound. The goal is to keep tractor trailers on I-80 and alleviate some of the traffic in local communities."

Phased Repairs and Timeline

The repair process consists of multiple phases, though the precise timeline remains uncertain. However, NJDOT expects the entire repair effort to take about two months.

1. Drilling and Grouting Operations (Four Weeks Remaining)

• NJDOT completed geotechnical tests to evaluate the roadway’s subsurface stability, identifying 150 locations requiring drilling and grout stabilization.
• As of March 14, 135 locations (90%) have been drilled, and 114 locations (75%) have been stabilized with grout.
• The remaining locations are closer to the area of greatest concern, requiring extra precision and caution.

2. Sinkhole Repair and Roadway Reconstruction

• The next phase will address a sinkhole in the affected area, using a similar method to the December 2024 repair:
  • Excavation of unstable material
  • Installation of a base of large stone with wire mesh reinforcement
  • Additional layers of stone, concrete, soil compaction, and multiple layers of asphalt to restore the roadway.

3. Quality Assurance and Monitoring

• Engineers will conduct continuous testing during and after repairs to ensure long-term roadway stability.
• A monitoring system will be installed to track surface and underground conditions:
  • Remote sensors on poles to detect pavement changes
  • Subsurface sensors to detect underground shifts
  • Deep underground devices for long-term soil stability tracking

4. Milling, Paving, and Roadway Reopening

• Once structural repairs are complete, the affected area will be milled and paved to create a smooth and safe driving surface before reopening the highway.

Emergency Funding and Federal Assistance

Governor Phil Murphy's Emergency Declaration on March 8 was a critical step in securing federal emergency funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). NJDOT is preparing a funding request detailing:

• The scope of the emergency
• The need for federal assistance
• The estimated repair costs

If approved, federal funds will help cover the cost of the highway repairs.

Traffic Mitigation and Alternate Routes

NJDOT is coordinating with local officials and New Jersey State Police to manage traffic flow and minimize delays along the official detour routes on Route 15, Route 10, and Route 46. Efforts include:

• Adjusting signal timing to improve traffic flow.
• Using digital messaging signs to inform truck drivers of detour options.
• Deploying regional transportation alerts to help motorists choose alternate routes.

Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the area, allow extra travel time, and remain patient while repairs are underway.

For real-time travel updates, visit www.511nj.org.

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