All westbound lanes of Route 80 in the Wharton area reopened Saturday morning for the first time since March, but overnight eastbound lane closures continue as repair work wraps up.In February, a sinkhole forced the closure of the eastbound lanes near Exit 34. Then, on March 19, a second sinkhole in the median shut down the westbound lanes.Beginning Monday, June 16, at 10 p.m. and continuing nightly through Friday, June 20, one of the two open eastbound lanes will be closed before Exit 34 in Wharton, Dover and Sparta, th...
All westbound lanes of Route 80 in the Wharton area reopened Saturday morning for the first time since March, but overnight eastbound lane closures continue as repair work wraps up.
In February, a sinkhole forced the closure of the eastbound lanes near Exit 34. Then, on March 19, a second sinkhole in the median shut down the westbound lanes.
Beginning Monday, June 16, at 10 p.m. and continuing nightly through Friday, June 20, one of the two open eastbound lanes will be closed before Exit 34 in Wharton, Dover and Sparta, the New Jersey Transportation Department said. At least one lane will remain open overnight, and all lanes are expected to reopen Wednesday, June 25, weather permitting.
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The closure allows crews to remove construction barriers, complete paving and reopen the third eastbound lane.
“All westbound lanes reopened June 14, and the left lane and median paving on the eastbound side is expected to be completed sometime this week,” said Steve Schapiro, press manager for the Transportation Department.
Jefferson Township Mayor Eric F. Wilsusen said he expects all eastbound lanes to reopen by the end of the week. “I have not heard of any issues with traffic,” he said of Monday morning's rush hour, the first since westbound 80 was fully reopened.
State Sen. Anthony Bucco, whose district includes the sinkhole area, praised the response and the collaboration behind the repair effort.
“This has been a long and difficult process, and I’m glad it’s finally coming to an end,” the senator said in a statement.
“I’m grateful to our residents, commuters, and small businesses for their patience throughout the disruption," Bucco said. "From expanded transit options for residents to emergency support for our business community, it was a great showing of bipartisan support on all levels of government coming together to provide relief for the community and to get the job done."
Bucco also thanked the Transportation Department leadership and crews for their tireless efforts under difficult conditions. "I look forward to seeing life return to normal in this region and to continuing the work of strengthening our infrastructure and local economies,” he said.
The department said more information will be released before the full reopening of all eastbound lanes.