Some Rideau Street businesses remain shuttered 5 days after sinkhole

Water has been restored to most businesses near the site of last week's giant sinkhole on Rideau Street, but several shops and restaurants remain closed five days after the collapse.

There are still few details about the cause of the road collapse last Wednesday, and "crews are working" was the ongoing message coming from city officials on Monday.

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In amemo to council, city manager Steve Kanellakoswrote that crews worked to remove water from the tunnel over the weekend and that pumping will continue for several days more.

He added that "over 75 per cent of affected businesses alongRideauStreet, including the ChateauLaurier, theWestin, Milestones, the Metropolitan, theRideauCentre, the Bay and Chapters, have reopened with full or partial services."

Pub, spa remained closed Monday

However, a number of Rideau Street businesses including The Highlander Puband Holtz Spa are still closed five days after the sinkhole because drinking water has not been restored to those properties.

A number of business owners have told CBC News that they were told their water would be restored by Friday, but that hasn't happened yet. They are now being told their water will be reconnected Monday afternoon, but a boil-water advisory will remain in effect for another 24 hours until Ottawa Public Health can test the water supply.

The Tim Hortons and Fernandino hair salon in the Rideau Centre also remain closed due to water and sewer issues.

Still no word on cause

There is still no word on what caused the watermain break and road collapse that occurred last Wednesday morning, above where Rideau Transit Group is drilling the last 50 metres of the downtown tunnel of the first phase of Ottawa's LRT line.

On Friday, RTG engineers confirmed that water had seeped into about 300 metres of the tunnel. But there is still no word on how much water flooded the tunnel.

According to Kanellakos's memo, the "first phase of concrete work in the sinkhole is complete, the sinkhole has been stabilized and crews are working to restore the infrastructure affected by the road collapse." A ramp has been installed to allow crews and equipment to get in and out of the sinkhole.