RELEASE: Gottheimer Visits Route 80 Sinkhole Site, Urges Swift Federal Action to Support Jersey

Above: Gottheimer urges swift federal action to support Route 80 sinkhole recovery efforts.

DOVER, NJ — Yesterday, March 27, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the sinkhole along Route 80 that has caused major disruptions for Fifth District families, commuters, and local small businesses across North Jersey. Gottheimer discussed recovery efforts and urged U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to quickly provide emergency funding without bureaucratic delays, ensuring relief for Jersey families and small businesses.

A recording of the event can be found here.

Gottheimer’s Urges Swift Federal Action to Support Jersey: 

• First, Gottheimer is urging U.S. Secretary of Transportation Duffy to expedite emergency federal funds to address the Route 80 sinkholes and ensure there are no bureaucratic delays or red tape in providing relief to Jersey families.
  • Gottheimer called Secretary Duffy to stress the urgency of the sinkhole disaster and push for immediate action. 
• Second, Gottheimer is sending a letter to the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), urging them to expedite support to small businesses that are impacted by road closures and traffic congestion. 
• Lastly, Gottheimer is calling on the NJ Department of Transportation to proactively apply for federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to prevent future sinkholes from disrupting Jersey commuters and families.

“The sinkhole crisis along Route 80 is severely impacting Jersey families, small businesses, and commuters who rely on this critical highway every day to get to work, support our local economy, and visit friends and family. I am working with the NJ Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure we are doing everything we can to reopen the highway as quickly as possible,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “The state must work quickly to repair the damage and restore normal traffic flow, and the federal government must cut through red tape to ensure no delays to emergency funding. I will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure Jersey gets the support we need and that Route 80 is reopened without delay.”

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