Council contractor Downer in recent weeks covered a small number of fire hydrants on the one-way going north with soft asphalt as a short-term solution, after they were found to have dropped below the road surface, creating a pot-hole effect.
New Zealand Transport Agency journey manager Graeme Hall said it was part of a joint Dunedin City Council and NZTA programme to level manhole covers in Dunedin's main street.
During the work, it was found a small number of fire hydrants in Cumberland and Crawford Sts were creating significant pothole effects for drivers, being about 100mm below the road service, Mr Hall said.
NZTA and council contractor Downer informed the Fire Service and as a result the council will raise the levels of the fire hydrants soon.
In the interim, to create a smoother road, the contractor covered the hydrants with a soft asphalt that was easy to remove.
Fire Service East Otago area commander Laurence Voight said the service had been kept informed about the situation and was not worried, as the fire hydrants could still be accessed if needed.
‘‘They are fully functional and if we need them, that bitumen is soft and will come off easily.''
There were also other fire hydrants in the vicinity.
‘‘I'm quite comfortable with the situation,'' Mr Voight said.
