Transport Secretary Sean Duffy visited New Jersey while the state was working to repair sinkhole damage to major highways and noted that local, state and federal governments are working together to address the issue.
Under report meeting On Saturday, Duffy appeared alongside Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) and Rep. Tom Keene Jr. (R-NJ) to reveal that the U.S. Department of Transport (USDOT) and the New Jersey Department of Transport (NJDOT) are “very well aligned.”
“It was a whole government and the federal response to what was happening on I-80 by local, state and federal governments,” Duffy explained. “This is a large artery that cannot be shut down, so we are working together to figure out the solutions needed to ensure that everyone can reopen this road. And it's an evolving situation again. Sinkhole 2, I've just seen this sinkhole.
Duffy was “committed” to do “all that federal can do to provide aid and aid” to the state, but said there may be “legislative restrictions” they have to deal with.
“The problem is that federal resources are available. We are trying to do everything federal side can do to provide support and aides to New Jersey to Rep. Keene and the Governor,” Duffy continued. “We may have legislative restrictions. If so, we're going to go to Tom Keene, who drives Congress to get the help you need.”
A visit on Duffy to the I-80 sinkhole site comes as several sinkhole have been reported in the state since December 2024. According to ABC7NY News.
The first “40ft x 40ft” sinkhole was reported to have been “opened in December,” while the second sinkhole was “opened and traffic opened in the eastbound lane of I-80, which had an impact,” according to the outlet. The second sinkhole is 75 feet away from the first sinkhole. The third sinkhole was reported to have been “opened near exit 34” while NJDOT was performing the “drilling operation.”
“The site is close to another sinkhole that opened in the eastbound lane of I-80 in February and affected traffic,” ABC7NY said.
According to the exit, authorities explained that the cause was abandoned mines where the sinking mines are falling apart.
At a press conference, Murphy revealed that New Jersey transit will give to people traveling to Morris and Essex [train] 50% off as part of our efforts to “be off the road” and “reduce some of the pressure.”
“NJ Transit will be 50% off on the Morris Essex Line starting Monday, and we hope that will bring more people to the train as long as this is blocked, and that will reduce some of the pressure,” Murphy said.
Related – Surveillance: Large sinkhole opens in San Francisco
