A stretch of Highway 174 in Ottawa’s east end will be closed all of next week as city crews work to repair a giant sinkhole in the middle of the road.

At a news briefing Thursday afternoon, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said city crews will be working day and night to make the repairs go as quickly as possible.

The city is waiting for a new pipe to be made that will be placed under the ground.

Many commuters have no choice but to face traffic gridlock as they wait for the repairs to be completed.

"We saw someone rollerblading that was going faster than us," said one driver.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Ottawa driver Juan Pedro Unger drove his car right into the huge hole. By the time he realized what it was, it was too late to stop.

He was able to escape with only minor injuries.

A failed 50-year-old storm sewer is to blame for the sinkhole.

The City couldn't find a  3.6 metre wide pipe to replace the broken one, so they have asked Hansen Pipe and Precast near Toronto to make one.

City staff knew the pipe was getting old, and had approved a $1.5 million project to renew the section.

“It showed signs of deterioration but not to the point where immediate action was required,” said Ottawa Asset Manager Alain Gonthier.

Crews had inspected the sewer as recently as Tuesday. Staff say there was no sign it was about to give.

Ottawa Police are asking drivers to be patient with traffic backups while repairs are underway.

"Follow the rules of the road and stay off the Transitway," said Superintendent Jill Skinner.

The car that was swallowed by the sinkhole is still in the ground somewhere under the median.

It has travelled a distance of about 20 metres from where it sunk.

Unger says he is lucky to be allve following the terrifying ordeal.

"Given what I saw and what I went through I’m just lucky to be alive, and hope it doesn’t happen to anyone," he said.

Highway 174 eastbound remains closed between Montreal Rd. and Jeanne D’Arc Blvd.

 

With a report from CTV’s John Hua and Claudia Cautillo.

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