Emergency Repair
On June 20, 2022, a large sink hole opened up on the I-78 Eastbound Ramp from Northbound I-287. As part of the NJDOT On-Call Maintenance Contract, M&S was called upon to help quickly provide a solution. We immediately took action, and M&S staff, working closely with NJDOT, prepared plans to open the ramp up to traffic. This emergency condition reached the top levels of the NJDOT, as traffic from this major arterial roadway required the detouring of traffic over 9-miles.
M&S staff quickly mobilized and prepared a design that bypassed the sinkhole area, that included an existing culvert and retaining wall that warranted a long-term repair. In close coordination with NJDOT, our survey, highway, water resources and traffic engineering staff turned around an approved design and construction documents in just 10 days. The project included construction of a new 1,000-foot bypass ramp, drainage, traffic signing and striping, lighting and traffic control plans.
M&S was responsible for designing a temporary road way to divert traffic away from the sinkhole as well as redesigning the permanent roadway where traffic would resume. In addition, M&S completed all environmental permitting work in the very short time frame required to complete this emergency repair.
Bedminster, NJ
NJDOT
Highway Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Environmental Services, Water Resources, CM/CI
The sinkhole was caused by scour washing out the earth behind the original retaining wall – the originally constructed culvert over the waterway had no bottom slab, allowing water into the area. To repair the sinkhole, a portion of the retaining wall had to be removed, filled in with concrete and earth fill, and reconstructed. A bottom slab was also added to the culvert to avoid a repeat of this issue. The structural design for the wall and culvert was completed by engineering firm Buchart Horn.
