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

Three days after a massive sinkhole swallowed a stretch ofRideau Street,two major businesses have reopened and the localcouncillor is encouraging Ottawansto return to the area.

Rideau-VanierCoun. 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 skywalkconnecting the Bay with the RideauCentre.

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 saidcrews are still workingto removea"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,"Fleurysaid.

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