Massive sinkhole forces street closures in downtown Windsor

Published Apr 29, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 1 minute read

A large sinkhole suddenly opened up in downtown Windsor on Monday, forcing street closures and causing traffic headaches.

The City of Windsor sent out a traffic detour notice around 6:30 p.m. Monday, stating that the intersection of University Avenue and Church Street was closed because of the sinkhole.

Article content

No injuries were reported.

The road buckled and caved in the middle of the intersection. The city said the roads would be closed until at least 9 a.m Tuesday, until crews and city officials can better assess the situation.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

Article content

Both roads were shut down about a block away from the sinkhole in every direction, with police officers in cruisers stationed behind barriers.

Massive chunks of pavement were buckled up around the hole, which appeared to be at least a couple metres wide.

Crews worked through the rain and into the night on Monday, using a backhoe, dump trucks and other heavy equipment to deal with the mess.

The city was asking people to avoid the area.

Monday’s mishap was far from the first time a massive hole suddenly broke open in downtown Windsor.

Last September, a stretch of asphalt in an alley running from Park Street to University Avenue behind the Royal Windsor Terrace condo building collapsed while a minivan was parked on it.

The vehicle and the laneway surface fell into an electrical vault, knocking out power to roughly 500 Enwin Utilities customers. Traffic lights at intersections in the area also went dark.

Recommended from Editorial

Man falls in sinkhole at riverfront park

Vehicle falls through alley asphalt, knocks out power downtown

In 2015, a city contractor fell up to his waist into a sinkhole caused by the collapse of a century-old sewage pipe under Dieppe Gardens at the riverfront.

He slid several feet into the hole before he was able to pull himself out using a barricade that he happened to be carrying.

Crews worked into the night on Monday to fix a large sinkhole that suddenly opened up earlier in the day in the middle of the intersection of University Avenue and Church Street in downtown Windsor. Photo by Trevor Wilhelm /Windsor Star Downtown traffic had to be diverted as road crews responded Monday night to a large sinkhole that suddenly opened up at the intersection of University Avenue and Church Street in downtown Windsor. Photo by Trevor Wilhelm /Windsor Star