Overview

• A massive sinkhole caused by a collapsed mineshaft opened on I-80 in Wharton, New Jersey, on December 26, 2024, leading to closures and significant disruptions.
• Newly released police body-camera footage shows the immediate aftermath of the sinkhole, capturing the scale of the collapse and the swift response by state troopers.
• NJDOT has announced that two eastbound lanes are expected to reopen by May 21, with full highway restoration targeted for June 25.
• Additional sinkholes have been reported in the area since the initial collapse, underscoring the risks posed by abandoned mining infrastructure beneath the region.
• Commuters face prolonged detours and limited rail alternatives due to an ongoing NJ Transit engineers’ strike, intensifying travel challenges in the region.