Updated timeline revealed for I-80 reopening in NJ
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WHARTON, N.J. (PIX11) -- The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced Friday that all lanes of Interstate 80 are expected to be reopened on or by June 25. Two westbound lanes are expected to reopen by May 4, along with two eastbound lanes by May 18.
Gov. Phil Murphy also announced Friday that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) plans to create a $5 million grant program to support Morris County small businesses impacted by the sinkholes.
Businesses with up to 50 full-time employees that have experienced at least a $1,000 revenue decline for the first quarter of 2025 are eligible to apply, beginning at the end of April.
“That would definitely help us,” said Peter Sedereas, owner of Townsquare Diner in Wharton. “It’s a start to help us start building a base again.”
“Every little bit counts,” said Rino DePiano, owner of Reno’s Pizzeria Ristorante in Wharton. “The way it helps is more for my staff. I don’t want to lay off the staff because they have families. They have bills.”
The owner of La Forchetta Pizzeria and Italian Grill in Wharton has already been forced to shut down the business on Mondays to save money.
“Basically, to make enough to cover everybody’s payroll, we have to close a day,” said owner Norberto Berganza.
Berganza said he may need to close an additional day to stay afloat before I-80 reopens. “I don’t know if we have to either close another day, or give an extra day off to the workers. We’ll see how things continue.”
Wharton Mayor Bill Chegwidden said the Small Business Administration will also be at Wharton Town Hall on Tuesday to help businesses fill out paperwork for additional financial relief.