Sink hole intersection likely open by midnight Friday

(Updated)

It’s big enough to swallow a car, but luckily it didn’t.

Repairs to a giant sinkhole at Upper Gage and Fennell in Hamilton are ongoing.

On Friday crews are working to replace the broken watermain that caused it hole that measures 1 metre deep and 6 across.

Once the broken piece of pipe has been replaced, it will be tested for leaks. If all goes well the road should be up and running by midnight Friday.

Residents said the break  sounded like thunder.

After crews managed to stem the flow, they were able to isolate the break and cut out the damaged piece of pipe.

Old infrastructure is largely to blame but ward councillor, Tom Jackson, believes the harsh winter played a part.

“I believe we’re still feeling and seeing some side effects of that.”

It was the largest, but not the only watermain break in the neighbourhood Thursday night.

Pipes burst on Fernwood Crescent and at the intersection of 10th and east 42nd. The city is investigating whether upgrades to other parts of the water system may have been a factor in these breaks.

With four breaks in a day, one of them crippling a busy intersection, residents want this to be the wake up call that prompts preventative repairs.