Rideau Street sinkhole will be fixed 'well before' Obama visit, says mayor

The President of the United States of America need not fear the Rideau Street sinkhole.

Roads currently closed as construction crews work around the clock to patch up a giant hole on Rideau Street near the intersection with Sussex Drive will be open by the time Barack Obamaarrives for Wednesday'sThree Amigos summit with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican PresidentEnriquePeaNieto, said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

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"Obviously, it will be done well in advance of President Obama's visit and well in advance of Canada Day," Watson said after a breakfast event Thursday.

"Whether it's going to bethis SundayorMonday, we'll let you know but we're certainly working 24 hours a day to get it fixed because we know how important that intersection is for pedestrians, cyclists, and it's a major bus route."

The director of Ottawa's rail implementation office reminded reporters later that the timeline for reopening all depends on the road passing inspections.

"The reconstruction is progressing very well,we expect construction to be winding down this weekend, it should be complete early next week," said Steve Cripps.

"Safety is our top concern so once the engineers have provided us with the necessary signoffs that the road is safe to reopen then we'll progress at that point."

The closed intersection is on themain route between Ottawa's parliamentary precinct and the prime minister's home, Rideau Hall, theUS embassy and theAmerican ambassador's residence.

Rideau Street is currently closed to vehicles from Sussex Drive to Dalhousie Street, while Sussex Drive is closed from RideauStreet to George Street.

Wellington Street is also closed from Mackenzie Avenue to Sussex Drive, along with Colonel By Drive from Rideau Street to DalyAvenue.

As of Monday, all the businesses in the area had safe drinking water and were given the all-clear toreopen.

The city is offering two hours of free parking at the ByWard Market parking garages on Clarence Street on Sundayand free hourly shuttles to the Rideau Centre from Trim, Fallowfield and Eaglesontransitstations the same day to help bring shoppers to the area, as there was last Sunday.