Hudson's Bay, Chapters reopen as Rideau sinkhole repairs continue

Three days after a massive sinkhole swallowed a stretch of Rideau Street, two major businesses have reopened — and the local councillor is encouraging Ottawans to return to the area.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury says he wants people to support the shops that had to temporarily close after the Wednesday sinkhole collapse, even though the street itself remains closed to traffic.

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"Let's support the businesses along the corridor who've suffered a few days of outage, if you will," Fleury said.

"It is safe, it's well [cordoned] off, and you will not be at risk."

Chapters and the Hudson's Bay — two major commercial anchors on Rideau — reopened Saturday morning, Fleury said, as did the skywalk connecting the Bay with the Rideau Centre.

The skywalk's reopening drew dozens of people, eager for an up-close glimpse at the work being done to repair the sinkhole.

Fleury also shared a new aerial photo of the sinkhole Saturday, and said crews are still working to remove a "significant" amount of water that had pooled in a 300-metre stretch of the city's light rail tunnel.

"The trucks are in there pumping out the water to see the extent of some of the water damages," Fleury said.

Fleury said he planned to meet with engineers and Mayor Jim Watson Saturday afternoon for a further update.