Phillipsburg Launches Geotechnical Probe into Summit Avenue Sinkholes

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The Town of Phillipsburg, New Jersey has announced that a geotechnical investigation into the soil conditions surrounding the Summit Avenue sinkholes will begin next week. The investigation follows a series of sinkhole incidents that began on February 16, leading to eight homes becoming uninhabitable due to safety concerns. The $167,000 contract with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. will include drilling and soil analysis in areas surrounding Summit Avenue, Lewis Street, and Mitchell Alley to determine the next steps for remediation and stabilization.

Why it matters

The sinkholes in Phillipsburg's Summit Avenue area have posed a serious threat to public safety, leading to evacuations and road closures. Understanding the underlying soil conditions is crucial to developing a plan to permanently repair the damaged infrastructure and secure the surrounding homes and roads.

The details

The geotechnical investigation will involve a detailed analysis of subsurface conditions near the sinkholes. Engineers will drill and analyze soil samples to evaluate the stability of the ground and determine the appropriate remediation measures. This work follows a series of sinkhole incidents that began on February 16, when two sinkholes opened near each other at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Lewis Street. The situation escalated the following day when a dump truck operating within the secured work zone fell into a sinkhole, prompting local officials to issue an emergency declaration.

• The geotechnical investigation is expected to begin on Monday, March 23, 2026.
• The investigation is expected to continue for several weeks.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The results of the geotechnical investigation will be used to determine the appropriate remediation and stabilization measures for the Summit Avenue sinkhole area.