There’s an end in sight to New Jersey’s I-80 sinkhole saga, officials have announced, as aid comes to affected small businesses in the area.
The interstate has been closed in one or both directions just north of Wharton, in Morris County, since February and faced repeated repair delays as more sinkholes opened up. As repairs progressed, others followed, closing down more and more lanes. At one point there was no timeline at all for reopening.
But last week, officials dropped dates for reopening the entire highway by the end of June. May 4 should see the two westbound lanes reopened, followed by the two eastbound ones on May 18 and “full restoration of all lanes in both directions” by June 25, State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn said in a statement.
“NJDOT is bringing in expert teams and employing infrastructure-sensitive methods to ensure the repairs are not only effective, but designed to support long-term stability and safety for the roadway,” Dunn said. “I know how frustrating this situation has been for residents and commuters, and I want to thank you for your continued patience.”
Small businesses affected by the closures can apply for low-interest loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration. In addition, Gov. Phil Murphy is working to establish a $5 million grant program, the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program, for affected businesses and nonprofit organizations, a measure the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board is slated to vote on this week.
