A large sinkhole in Toronto’s east end has shut down a busy intersection in the area as crews work around the clock to carry out emergency repairs.
Chopper footage over Coxwell and Cosburn avenues Thursday morning shows a significant portion of the intersection has caved in and filled with water.
In an email to CTV News Toronto, a spokesperson for the city said the street collapsed due to a watermain break that occurred late Wednesday night.
“The incident led to street flooding, pavement damage and a sinkhole at the intersection. Four basement floods have been reported to the City so far,” the spokesperson said.
Crews could be seen pumping water out of the hole as pylons and “road closed” signs surround the intersection.
As of Thursday night, the hole has been filled with concrete.
The city said the intersection is expected to reopen on Monday, and TTC bus routes are currently detouring to avoid the sinkhole. Sidewalks remain open to pedestrians.
“We understand how disruptive this is for those living and working in the area, and we sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding,” the city said.
‘This was preventable’: resident
Evelyn Ruiz lives in the area, and said she was walking by Coxwell and Cosburn just after 10 p.m. when she noticed water busting through the concrete.
“This was preventable, because from 10 o’ clock, when I called, the water was only shut off maybe around 3:30 in the morning. Which means, for about five hours, all the water was reverberating from underneath and had to go somewhere,” she told CP24.
Ruiz said her basement was flooded, as well as seven other homes in the area.
She pointed out that two months ago, there was a flood near the intersection and said she was told by a city employee that the likelihood of another incident was “high.”
“I’m very disappointed, to say the least,” she said.
The city has not yet responded to Ruiz’s claims.
