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The basics:

• NJDOT to reopen two westbound lanes on I-80 in Wharton May 30
• All lanes in both directions expected to reopen by June 25
• SBA approves $2M+ in disaster loans for affected small businesses
• NJEDA expands $5.5M grant program for nearby impacted firms

As sinkhole repairs continue on Interstate 80, some positive developments emerged Friday.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation says it expects to reopen two lanes on I-80 westbound late in the evening May 30 (weather permitting) in Wharton, Morris County. After traffic resumes, the I-80 westbound detour utilizing Exit 34B will be removed.

This comes on the heels of two lanes on I-80 eastbound reopening May 21. The NJDOT notes that work in the median is advancing – with a slated June 25 reopening of all lanes in both directions remaining on schedule.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced it has approved more than $2 million in federal disaster loans as of May 29 to support small businesses and private nonprofits affected by the sinkholes.

The SBA says that the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is still available to affected organizations for working capital needs caused by the disaster. The EIDLs can provide up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for nonprofits – and terms up to 30 years. The loans can go toward paying fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that were not paid stemming from the disaster.

“President Donald Trump and Administrator Kelly Loeffler have made it a top priority to get Garden State small businesses that have been economically impacted by the I-80 sinkholes back up and running,” said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Matt Coleman.

“We’ve ensured SBA disaster recovery & resiliency personnel have been on the ground for weeks, working with local stakeholders, and operating the agency’s Business Recovery Center in Wharton – advising impacted small business owners to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan if they’ve suffered any economic impact.”

More than numbers

Chris Stallings, associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, said that surpassing $2 million in disaster loans reflects more than just numbers.

“It represents small businesses reopening, families returning home and communities rebuilding stronger,” said Stallings. “These loans provide vital support for recovery – and we encourage anyone still in need to apply before the deadline.”

That deadline is Jan. 2, 2026. More information on the program and how to apply is available here.

Milestone Alert: @SBAgov has approved over $2 Million in relief to help #NewJersey rebuild after #sinkholes on Interstate 80.

Businesses & Nonprofits have until January 2, 2026, to apply for an Economic Injury #Disaster Loan. Don’t wait, apply now: https://t.co/J3AZoYpynP pic.twitter.com/lWxTUwyh4E

— SBA Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (@SBA_ODRR) May 27, 2025

On the state level, as NJBIZ has reported, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority launched a grant assistance program. It then quickly expanded the initiative to a $5.5 program to support sinkhole-affected small businesses within 5 miles of Exit 34, including in Sussex County.

“Since the program launched last month, the NJEDA has already delivered $1 million to small businesses in Morris County and we continue to make approvals daily,” said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan in a May 14 press release. “Under the leadership of Gov. Murphy and the Legislature, we will continue to support our small business community and ensure these additional funds reach the business owners who need it most.”