Highway 400 sinkhole causing major problems for drivers, delays expected
Posted August 8, 2023 3:50 pm.
Last Updated August 9, 2023 7:00 pm.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say traffic delays are expected on Highway 400 through Thursday due to an 11-foot-deep sinkhole.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt shared an update on Tuesday, saying the sinkhole is located in the left southbound lane on Highway 400 lane approaching Line 5 near Bradford West Gwillimbury. A closure has been expanded to include the northbound lane of the highway.
Sgt. Schmidt said the sinkhole is along the median strip just north of Line 5.
“You can see relatively new concrete walls here. This is the problem. It doesn’t look like much on the surface, but once you take a look inside… you can see a drain tile, and the hole goes down at least 11 feet. It looks deeper than that to me,” Sgt. Schmidt said.
“That hole is comprising both northbound and southbound lanes.”
On Wednesday, Sgt. Schmidt shared a new video on social media showing crews tending to the sinkhole, noting that repairs are ongoing.
“The hole itself is relatively small, but underneath that hole, there is a significant cavity,” Sgt. Schmidt said.
“[Crews] are going to try and get asphalt pulled away so they can get a better look inside to see what they’re dealing with. They’re estimating between 20 to 30 yards of concrete are going to have to go in there to fill this hole.”
