Dunn says Route 80 sinkhole crisis exposed oversight gaps, urges swift legislative action

by West Morris Reporter

The dual sinkhole issue which plagued both sides of Route 80 in the Wharton area since December, snarling traffic continually, harming local businesses financially, and raising ire throughout the area, seems to be over.

For now.

State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris, however, is thinking about what’s coming down the road, literally.

Dunn told the state Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on Monday, June 16, that the state must act decisively to prevent future infrastructure emergencies such as the sinkholes that opened up and shut down a portion of Route 80 in her district this winter and spring and cost the state millions.

Testifying in support of a bill which requires underground surveys before transportation projects begin, and her own bill, establishing an abandoned mine reclamation program in the Department of Environmental Protection (DOT), Dunn called for a coordinated, data-driven, and proactive approach to infrastructure safety.

“The moment should be a concern for all of us, not just for what happened but for what it reveals about the state of our infrastructure monitoring systems,” Dunn said.

She began by thanking the state trooper who first noticed the first road depression, and praised the DOT for its swift response and clear communication throughout the emergency.

“At a time when public trust and the effectiveness of government are at an all-time low, this comes as a boost in morale, a reminder that government can still work for the people when it matters most, that there are dedicated public servants who step up and get the job done,” Dunn said.

The Route 80 collapse, which shut down lanes for months and caused major disruptions across western Morris and Sussex counties, has been traced to long-abandoned mine activity beneath the highway. Dunn noted that New Jersey is home to nearly 600 abandoned mines, with an estimated 10% near state roads, yet the public can’t even access basic information about them online.

“Even now, if you go to the Department of Environmental Protection’s website to learn more about our mines ... guess what the message says if you Google it, if you go to the website right now? Page not found. I think that kind of says a lot, doesn’t it?” she said.

Dunn emphasized that the crisis was not abstract. It affected her constituents daily.

“I was on the ground throughout this whole process talking to residents who could not get to work, to parents rerouting their kids to school and activities, and about the countless missed and canceled appointments. Businesses were severely impacted. This has been a lived crisis for my community,” Dunn said.

She called for a centralized mine mapping and monitoring system, data-sharing across agencies, and the creation of early warning systems to prevent future emergencies.

“The state’s approach to mine safety so far has been neither comprehensive nor consistent. It has been fragmented, outdated, and reactive,” she said. “The closure alone cost the state an estimated $200,000 per day. So we are north of $25 million, and that is not including the law enforcement costs to address this crisis. As stewards of public funds, we have a duty to act now because failing to plan will only cost more, not just in dollars but in public confidence.”

Dunn concluded with a bipartisan appeal.

“This isn’t a partisan issue. I feel good we found one that’s nonpartisan that we could all get around,” she said. “So as we pave the nation’s corridor, know that together we are paving a path to a more unified, prepared, and resilient New Jersey.”

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