Stunning new video shows moment massive 1-80 sinkhole first opened in NJ: ‘Never seen anything like this'
A stunning new video shows the moments after a massive sinkhole first swallowed the side of a New Jersey interstate.
Police bodycam footage obtained by ABC7 captured the moment cops drove up to the edge of a mammoth sinkhole that opened up on the I-80 in Wharton the day after Christmas Day.
The sinkhole, which created a giant crater along the shoulder of the road, has caused a shutdown of the roadway since December.
WABC
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'Look at how far it goes under there… we just went by and said 'holy!'…' a man who witnessed the sinkhole collapse told a trooper in the footage.
'I've never seen anything like this,' another man said while steam appeared to rise from the giant opening.
The sinkhole, which created a giant crater along the shoulder of the road, has caused a shutdown of parts of the major roadway since December.
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Repairs have been ongoing since, but two more sinkholes appeared along I-80 in February and March, prolonging closures.
'I've never seen anything like this,' one man said while steam appeared to rise from the giant opening.
WABC
Officials have linked the formation of the sinkholes to the region's mining history, blaming the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft under the road as the cause, per the outlet.
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The stretch of I-80, which has impacted local commuters and long-distance drivers crossing through New York City, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, and the Midwest, should be fully operational by the end of June, New Jersey Department of Transportation officials said.
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New York Post
19-05-2025
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Stunning new video shows moment massive 1-80 sinkhole first opened in NJ: ‘Never seen anything like this'
A stunning new video shows the moments after a massive sinkhole first swallowed the side of a New Jersey interstate. Police bodycam footage obtained by ABC7 captured the moment cops drove up to the edge of a mammoth sinkhole that opened up on the I-80 in Wharton the day after Christmas Day. The sinkhole, which created a giant crater along the shoulder of the road, has caused a shutdown of the roadway since December. WABC Advertisement 'Look at how far it goes under there… we just went by and said 'holy!'…' a man who witnessed the sinkhole collapse told a trooper in the footage. 'I've never seen anything like this,' another man said while steam appeared to rise from the giant opening. The sinkhole, which created a giant crater along the shoulder of the road, has caused a shutdown of parts of the major roadway since December. Advertisement Repairs have been ongoing since, but two more sinkholes appeared along I-80 in February and March, prolonging closures. 'I've never seen anything like this,' one man said while steam appeared to rise from the giant opening. WABC Officials have linked the formation of the sinkholes to the region's mining history, blaming the collapse of an abandoned mineshaft under the road as the cause, per the outlet. Advertisement The stretch of I-80, which has impacted local commuters and long-distance drivers crossing through New York City, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, and the Midwest, should be fully operational by the end of June, New Jersey Department of Transportation officials said.
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