WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — Traffic is backed up on the Garden State Parkway as workers try to make a temporary fix for a sinkhole that blew tires on 18 vehicles.

New Jersey Turnpike Authority spokesman Tom Feeney said the sinkhole was discovered around 6 a.m. Thursday on the right lane of the Parkway southbound just north of Route 44 in Woodbridge.

Engineers are trying to figure out the cause. He said possibilities include failure of a nearby culvert or collapsed drainpipes under the road.

Feeney said the two right lanes were expected to be reopened before 5 p.m. Thursday.

A permanent fix is to be made with work at night and on weekends.

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