A busy stretch of an interstate highway in New Jersey shuttered after a swath of the right lane and shoulder collapsed into a sinkhole, authorities said Thursday.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation confirmed the sinkhole Thursday morning near the Wharton exit on Interstate 80 eastbound, which is about 40 miles west of New York City. The depression formed off the shoulder and right lane, according to NJDOT, and it stretches 40 feet wide and 40 feet deep.
The transportation department said all lanes of I-80 eastbound were closed and being detoured with motorists advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. The cause of the sinkhole has not yet been determined.
“NJDOT crews responded immediately and are on site continuing to evaluate the situation, determine the extent of the damage, and stabilize the area in order to design a repair,” NJDOT officials said.
Westbound I-80 is not impacted. A 511nj.org live feed of I-80 looking west shortly after 5 p.m. showed traffic moving swiftly on the westbound side with traffic cones lined up and several emergency vehicles on the eastbound side. A line of traffic appeared to be at a standstill as motorists were waiting to take Exit 34.