Route 80 East closed for sinkhole repairs

Route 80 eastbound is closed for emergency sinkhole repairs in Wharton in Morris County, according to the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.

About 6:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, the highway was closed out of an abundance of caution because of a depression in the center lane, the DOT said.

A detour is in place at Exit 34 in Wharton, and DOT crews are evaluating the situation.

The cause of the depression has not yet been determined.

Route 80 eastbound will remain closed until further notice.

Drivers are advised to use Exit 28 to take Route 46 eastbound or Route 10 eastbound to avoid the area. This exit is several miles before the closure.

In late December, Route 80 was closed in the same location after a sinkhole forced the eastbound lanes to shut down.

Then, a 40-foot-wide hole opened when an abandoned mine collapsed under the highway’s right shoulder.

The highway reopened four days later after emergency repairs were made.

Alternate routes

Here are an alternate route on Route 46 eastbound:

• Drivers on Route 80 eastbound should take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure.

• Continue on Route 46 eastbound.

• Stay in the left two lanes to turn left at the traffic signal to continue on Route 46 eastbound.

• Turn left onto Route 15 northbound in Dover back to Route 80 or continue on Route 46 eastbound for about 12 miles and stay left for Route 80 eastbound.

Route 80 eastbound detour:

• Drivers on Route 80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta.

• Stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta.

• Stay in the left lane on North Main Street to Route 15 southbound/To I-80/Dover.

• Merge onto Route 15 southbound.

• Stay left to take the exit to Route 80 eastbound.