I-80 Sinkholes Ruin My Daily Commute From Sussex to Morris: How Are We Coping? | Opinion

Should I take the route via Lake Hopatcong? Or perhaps attempt to use the Wharton back roads instead? Alternatively, should I head far out along Route 206 through Chester?

If you're a northern New Jersey resident whose daily commute has been affected by the sinkholes along Route 80, This morning’s speech might seem recognizable.

What began as additional 10 minutes of slow-moving traffic has rapidly become (select all that apply):

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• Ongoing GPS searches and detours

• Skipped Dunkin stops

• "I'm heading out late" messages to the supervisor, and,

• Increased instances of road rage, along with emerging back-road anger issues

As someone commuting daily from Sussex County via Route 15 to Morris County, the sinkholes These experiences have prompted me to reassess nearly all of my life choices. My dad, just about ready for his golden years of relaxation, feels the same way. Our shared sentiment brings us closer together, I suppose. What used to be a manageable 45-minute drive to and from my school now turns into an hourly battle through constant detours and traffic jams. Sadly, even engaging podcasts and classic albums played track-by-track can’t make this ordeal any easier.

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Raised in Sussex County after being born in Morris County, it feels as though I've unknowingly turned into a local tourist. My previous straightforward daily drive along two main roads now takes me through an unnecessarily circuitous and picturesque path. Time doesn't seem to be on my side for stopping to appreciate the beauty around me.

Typically, aligning with the idea of 'we're all in this together' offers a certain level of clarity and calm. However, are we truly doing so? all Are we all in this together? Personally, I've noticed many Pennsylvania drivers showing off what they believe to be their superiority by speeding along the shoulders and overtaking others on double yellow lines. Given that without roadblocks from detours, accidents often cause gridlock daily, it comes as no shock. In fact, tumbleweeds might roll right into where cops typically set up speed traps these days. To combat congestion, local and state police are controlling every traffic signal within a 30-mile area, tweaking them manually in an attempt to improve traffic movement. Therefore, if one managed to exceed the speed limit for longer than just 100 feet, chances are good they’d go unnoticed.

Here’s the problem with GPS systems today: those who intimately knew the local terrain can no longer depend solely on their specialized knowledge to navigate back home through hidden shortcuts unknown to others. Instead, everyone from Pennsylvania—every Joe Schmo, Dick, and Harry—is using Waze or Google Maps with the "quickest path" option selected for directions. Sure, I understand why they do this, yet I still disapprove of it.

Accept reality—we all think this way. We believe ourselves to be at the center of everything, with everyone else playing minor parts in our personal stories. Yet, these extras keep messing up my daily journey. Moreover, I've noticed that some alternative paths aren’t displaying correct traffic conditions. Blue for all roads? Great! It seems like driving just above walking speed—about 5 miles per hour—is now standard in North Jersey. On one particularly frustrating day, my supposedly smart device instructed me to use Route 80 via Denville as an evening route back home, only to find out later that every street in town was completely blocked off due to construction or congestion.

Those who are less experienced within the group may feel inclined to follow the directions provided by the automated voice emanating from the speakers, letting it navigate each twist and turn for them. However, it won’t take long before you recognize that all the other motorists across the tristate region are receiving identical guidance.

Give a shout-out to my dad: Should you spot a man sporting a somewhat deranged expression as he peddles "Whacked in Wharton, New Jersey" tees near the Route 15/80 interchange, honk your horn, wave, and think about buying one – it's now his golden years scheme. He believes he has trapped an eager crowd and aims to amass his initial million dollars by summertime.

Being from Wharton, he can happily clarify that the cause of the sinkholes are the long-abandoned mine shafts—hence their catchphrase. It seems that those who were born and brought up in Wharton prior to 1980 dedicated much of their youth exploring tunnels throughout the area.

On to the positives:

Drive carefully. Or not at all. Simply remain at home and avoid driving completely.

Kate Finnegan is a resident of Sussex County who travels to Morris County for work.

The article initially appeared on NorthJersey.com. The I-80 sinkholes ruined my journey between Sussex and Morris. How are we dealing with this? | Opinion