A massive sinkhole caused by a water main break has shut down a major intersection in Toronto’s east end.
The City of º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøsaid its crews are at Coxwell Avenue and Cosburn Avenue for repairs after a water main break late Wednesday night led to street flooding, road damage and the sinkhole. It also led to basement flooding at two nearby homes.
“City crews have been working through the night and remain on-site to carry out emergency repairs, help prevent further flooding and support impacted residents,” the city wrote in a statement.Â
The city did not provide an estimate of when the intersection would be reopen and is urging drivers to find alternative routes for the time being.Â
Michelle Mengsu Chang/º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStarWater main break Wednesday night creates sinkhole that closes Coxwell and Cosburn intersection Thursday morning.
The city did not provide an estimate of when the intersection would be reopen and is urging drivers to find alternative routes. The TTC said the 87 Cosburn bus route has been detoured .
Videos and photos of the intersection sent to the Star by an area resident show water gushing out of the sinkhole and flooding parts of the street early on Thursday morning.Â
“We understand how disruptive this is for those living and working in the area, and we sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding,” they wrote.Â
Wayne Leek, a resident in the area, saw the signs for the road closures while out walking his dog Thursday morning and decided to take a closer look.Â
“There was a lot of sand that looked like there had been a fair amount of water flow in the gutter and even up on the sidewalk,” he said. “So I remember looking and wondering if some of the houses may have gotten some of the water.”
On his way past the scene, Leek said he could see pooling water and cracks forming in the middle of the intersection.
“I heard a strange kind of knocking noise. And then that’s when the asphalt collapsed into that hole,” he said.Â
Leek pulled out his phone to record the collapsed hole, watching the water pool inside of it. “You could see the asphalt was shifting a little bit more, and then it actually was creaking and clunking,” he said.
A photo taken mid-afternoon Thursday shows workers at the scene of the sinkhoke, with pylons lining the intersection and brown water flooding the area.
Ava Whelpley
The sinkhole near Coxwell and Cosburn avenues led to basement flooding at nearby homes.Â
Michelle Mengsu Chang/º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStar
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