Karmactive StaffA water main break late Wednesday night, August 27, 2025, caused a large sinkhole at the intersection of Coxwell Avenue and Cosburn Avenue in Toronto, forcing road closures and causing basement flooding in nearby homes.
Water Rushes Through East York
City crews responded to the scene after reports of a water main break that led to the pavement collapse. Resident Matthew David says he saw a “river of water” flowing west on Cosburn and south on Coxwell. “My wife found two centimetres of mud in our furnace room,” David told CBC News.
The intersection remains fully closed while repairs continue. City engineers are working to repair the damaged water main.
Home Damage Reported
Between two and eight homes have reported flood damage from the incident. Resident Tue Vu reported sewage backing up into his basement.
“Another neighbour said she had called the city at 10 p.m. to report the problem because she was out walking her dog,” Vu told CBC News. “Somebody came, took pictures and left… it took them until like 4 a.m. in the morning to shut the water off.”
Transit Changes in Effect
The Toronto Transit Commission has rerouted buses in the area:
- 87 Cosburn bus
- 70 O’Connor bus
These routes now detour via Woodbine Avenue, O’Connor Drive, and Donlands Avenue. The changes affect access to East York Collegiate Institute, Cosburn Middle School, and East York Alternative Secondary School.
Repair Work Continues
A City of Toronto spokesperson confirmed: “City crews have been working through the night and remain on-site to prevent further flooding and support impacted residents.”
As of August 29, 2025:
- Crews continue working to address the sinkhole and repair the water main
- The watermain appears to be made of cast iron and was installed in the 1940s
- No injuries have been reported
- The city is assessing the extent of the damage before providing a detailed repair timeline
“It’s difficult to assess the extent of the damage to the watermain until crews have excavated and exposed the damaged section,” Toronto Water officials stated.
Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford urged residents to avoid the intersection if possible. Officials recommend using the city’s road closures map for planning detours.
The sinkhole at Coxwell and Cosburn has closed the intersection, rerouted TTC buses, and caused basement flooding. The intersection is expected to reopen on Monday, barring unforeseen circumstances.
