Ottawa police are asking people to avoid the area near Corkstown Road and March Road after a water main break created a sinkhole.

The sinkhole is approximately 1.8 metres in length and the width of a traffic lane.

Water began gushing into the eastbound lanes around 8 p.m., police said.

City crews were on scene Saturday night, conducting repairs.

Once the water main is repaired, the sinkhole will be filled, Carol Hall, manager of water distribution wrote in an email to CBC News.

Police have Corkstown Road blocked off between March Road and the Wesley Clover Park Campground.

The cause of the water main break is being investigated. The city hopes to have the road reopened by Sunday afternoon.