I-80 fully reopens in New Jersey after sinkhole repairs
WHARTON, N.J. (PIX11) -- It's the story so many New Jersey commuters have been waiting for, the full reopening of Interstate 80.
The reopening comes four days ahead of schedule but not soon enough for people living in Wharton who have said this closure was a nightmare, in some cases adding hours to their commute.
Sinkholes developed on the I-80 near Exit 34 last year and the project cost about $150,000 per day to get them fixed.
Crews worked 24/7 to repair the road while people nearby felt the impact. Residents were forced to change their commutes, sometimes drastically, and businesses lost customers.
A final paving of the roadway happened Friday night, and now that the work is finished, both directions are fully reopened and people in Wharton are breathing easier.
"Slow down, I would say [was] between 20 to 30 percent. It was not just us, it was every single business in Wharton and around the area,” said Nolberto Berganza, owner of La Forchetta Pizzeria & Italian Grill.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wants to assure people living in the area that the repairs are permanent and I-80 is stronger than ever.