Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The existing rock cut areas along the westbound direction of Interstate 80 (I-80) within the Project limits have physical and geological hazards. The primary modes of rock instability identified during the data collection and site characterization of the area are planar sliding, wedge sliding, toppling, rock mass failure, and discrete rockfall as evidenced by the large overhangs, steep vertical faces, loose boulders, and rock blocks, which have resulted in rock toppling down and landing on the shoulder and roadway lanes and washouts along the I-80 roadway. A series of large open fissures exists in the area near the steep vertical rock wall, and if not stabilized, there is the potential for a major rockfall event to occur.

Although the original conceptual alternatives were intended to incorporate more localized removal and stabilization techniques, the detailed rock study revealed more areas of rockfall and safety concerns than first assessed. Rockfall modelling revealed the need for more aggressive stabilization strategies and consideration of source material from areas much farther upslope within areas under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS).