Toronto, Peterborough Face Major Sinkhole Disruptions

Toronto recently experienced two major sinkholes caused by aging infrastructure, with one in East York resulting from a water main burst and the other in the west end swallowing part of a tanker truck, though no injuries occurred. Meanwhile, in Peterborough, a long-standing sinkhole on Henry Penn Walk next to Town Bridge has been a source of concern and disruption since 2021, with residents and officials pushing for repairs amid fears the wall could collapse. After years of disputes over responsibility, Riverview Housing Freehold Limited, representing local leaseholders and freeholders, agreed to fund the necessary repairs, which will require an eight-week road closure and are expected to cost millions. However, delays have pushed the start of the project to September, with further major works postponed until April 2026 due to high river levels and weather risks, although interim safety measures like tensioned cables will be installed this autumn. Local officials, including Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes, have been actively involved in advocating for the repair work and securing permissions to minimize disruption while addressing safety concerns. The community expresses relief and optimism that these long-delayed repairs will finally restore safety and accessibility to the affected riverside areas.