Route 80 sinkholes repaired, highway set to fully reopen Saturday, Gov. Phil Murphy says
The eastbound side of the interstate is scheduled to reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday, four days ahead of schedule, Murphy said in a statement. That will follow a final closure of all three eastern lanes starting Friday night to allow for striping and paving.
Route 80's westbound lanes reopened June 14, 11 days earlier than the state first predicted.
'I am thrilled to see all lanes of I-80 open safely this weekend so we can ensure that New Jerseyans can get to where they need to go efficiently and safely,' Murphy said. "Importantly, I want to thank the thousands of New Jerseyans who have been impacted by these sinkholes for their patience as we worked to secure this roadway."A portion of the highway near Exit 34 in Wharton first gave way in December, but it was repaired within days. In February, however, another sinkhole forced the closure of the eastbound lanes. On March 19, more voids were discovered under the median, shutting down the westbound lanes.
The state has blamed the holes on underground mining shafts, closed decades earlier but never filled. The Transportation Department has estimated the final cost of repairs at $20 million to $25 million. The state pays the upfront costs and then can seek federal assistance.
'The repairs are permanent, and I am confident that the highway is now stronger and safer than it was before the first sinkhole developed," Transportation Commissioner Fran O'Connor said in the statement. "The engineering and magnitude of work that went into stabilizing and strengthening this road for decades to come is truly remarkable.'
Route 80 sinkhole detour
Eastbound lanes will be shut down for a final time on Friday starting at 9 p.m. Motorists can follow this detour, the Transportation Department said:
Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta.
Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound.
At the end of the ramp, stay right, following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta/Picatinny Arsenal.
Stay in the right lane on North Main Street, following signs for Route 15 North/Jefferson/Sparta.
Bear right toward Route 15 northbound/Picatinny Arsenal.
At the traffic signal, merge onto Route 15 northbound.
Stay left, following signs for Pondview Drive/U and Left Turns.
Using both lanes, make a U-turn at the Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Route 15 southbound.
Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Route 80 set to fully reopen Saturday after months of sinkhole repairs
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