Sinkholes Create Commuting Nightmare

In early February, a series of sinkholes appeared along Route 80 near Exit 34 that created a major issue for commuters in North Jersey, especially teachers traveling to and from Leonia High School. The eastbound and westbound closures have turned once routined drives into hour-long nightmares, rerouting drivers through local roads and causing widespread delays. The cause of the sinkholes have been debated but is primarily an effect of an old abandoned mineshaft beneath the highway. Though repairs are in the works, the disruption has already made a significant impact on the school community. Faculty and Staff have been forced to adjust their schedules and find creative routes in order to manage the added travel time.

Mr. Krajcsovics, a History teacher at Leonia High School, noted that while his morning commute hasn’t been too affected, the trip home is the main issue. “Fortunately, I go the opposite direction so coming to work has not had much of an impact. However, going home has been more of a challenge because cars are now filtering into secondary roads, particularly in my town of Denville. Now there is so much traffic and it makes it harder for me to drive and others to walk due to congestion.”

Ms. Bozik, who commutes daily to Leonia, shared how the sinkholes have added a significant burden to her schedule. Stating, “As a result of the sinkholes, I now have to leave my house earlier in the morning. I leave 15 minutes earlier and my commute takes a little over an hour now. Unfortunately the afternoon commute is much worse, and it takes me an average of two hours daily to get home.”

Even small adjustments have become necessary. Dr Massey described the toll the sinkholes have had on his daily routine and well-being.
“The sinkholes have closed Route 80 both eastward and westward at exit 34. Since I live several miles beyond that, I have had to change my routes. My return trip, which used to be just under an hour, is now never less than 1.5 hours, and not infrequently more than 2.”

As the community awaits the reopening of the highway, expected earliest by May 4th for westbound traffic , those affected by the sinkholes continue to cope through earlier alarms, altered routines and long hours behind the wheel. Until the repairs are complete patience and planning remain the keys to navigating the disrupted commute.

Picture credit: Canva