Downtown sinkhole filled as investigation into cause continues

Rideau Transit Group crews have filled a large sinkhole at the construction site where crews are digging the eastern entrance to Ottawa's light rail tunnel.

The City of Ottawa says the hole, which was eight metres wide and 12 metres deep, was filled with concrete overnight.

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An exact cause has not been revealed, but the road collapse is believed to be connected to the tunnelling operation.

According to deputy city manager NancySchepers, the road collapsed after a digging crewin the tunnel first noticed dirt falling into the tunnel at about 10 p.m. ET Thursday.

Thats where the excavator aroadheadercalled Crocodile Rouge was gouging the earth,Schepers said during a technical briefing on Friday.

By 1 a.m., alarge sinkhole had opened upon Waller Street. Nobody was injured.

Sewers still disconnected

On Saturday, workers are trying to restore power to traffic signals at the intersection ofLaurierAvenue and theTransitway, and expect to complete that work by Saturday evening.

For now, police continue to direct traffic as vehicles are being rerouted and one eastbound lane ofLaurieris closedbetween Queen Elizabeth Drive and Waller Street.

City staff said water is back at 50 Laurier Ave., but local sanitary and storm sewers wont be reconnected until next week after workers are allowed to return underground.

Crews had begun24-hour tunnellingoperationson Wednesday, but tunnelling operations remain suspended and the investigation into the road collapse continues.