WOODBRIDGE, N.J. (February 21, 2013)--A sinkhole on a major New Jersey highway has caused tire blowouts on 18 vehicles.

The sinkhole was discovered at around 6 a.m. Thursday in the right lane of the Garden State Parkway southbound in Woodbridge, N.J.

Two lanes were closed while a temporary fix was made, causing a backup.

They were reopened at around 4:45 p.m. Thursday.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority oversees the parkway and spokesman Tom Feeney said engineers were trying to figure out the cause.

He said possibilities include failure of a nearby culvert or collapsed drainpipes under the road.

Feeney said a permanent fix will accomplished at night and on weekends.