Crews are still working to repair a water main break on Elgin Street after a contractor accidentally drilled into the pipe this morning.
Pictures of the area show the road collapsing into what appears to be a large sinkhole just south of Laurier Avenue.
Some buildings were flooded nearby at 2 a.m. by a river of water, Ottawa water services supervisor Chris Hamilton told the CBC. CBC also reported about four feet of water was seen in a Slater Street parking garage.
Elgin Street southbound is closed from Laurier Avenue to Lisgar Street and buses are being rerouted to O’Connor, reported the same article. Northbound is down to one lane.
“It’s not a sinkhole; it’s a water main break,” says city media contact Jocelyne Turner.
Mayor Jim Watson Tweeted earlier today “Sinkhole on Elgin was not a result of failure – it was contractor error that damaged pipe. Work ongoing to repair it.” He has since stated it is not a sinkhole.
Someone has created a Twitter account calling it the @ElginStSinkhole with the tagline “I was jealous of the 174…”
The city says work will continue until mid afternoon.