Lane closures on I-80 in New Jersey after sinkhole discovered

WHARTON, NJ (AP) – A sinkhole that opened Thursday along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey forced authorities to close the eastbound lanes of the busy freeway.

The sinkhole was discovered Thursday morning near Wharton, which is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of New York City.

Crews were evaluating how to repair the sinkhole, which left a gaping depression along the freeway’s right shoulder. It’s too early to know how long the repairs will take, said Steve Schapiro, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The closure comes at a time when traffic is lighter than usual due to holidays, he said. Motorists were directed to take a short detour before they were able to get back on the highway, which connects northern New Jersey to Pennsylvania.