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© Jos YuleA giant sinkhole opened up on Monday afternoon in the Junction, closing Runnymede Rd.
Toronto Police have closed Runnymede Rd. in the west end from St. John's Rd. to Annette St. indefinitely due to a giant sinkhole.

TTC has rerouted the 71 Runnymede and 79 Scarlett Rd both ways via Annette St., Jane St. and Dundas St.

Sinkholes are caused when leaking pipes or water mains wash away soil or rock deep beneath the road's surface - not to be confused with potholes, which are caused by surface damage.

In Toronto, most sinkholes are caused by man-made failures, like leaky pipes.

In 2006, a 10-metre-wide sinkhole on Sheppard Ave. W. cost the city close to $1 million to repair. It's estimated that Toronto experiences about 20 to 50 sinkholes a year.