A spokesperson from the Dunedin City Council revealed that the sinkhole, located on Manor Pl near the intersection with Princes St, was noticed on Friday morning. It is believed that the sinkhole may have been caused by a leaking water pipe located further uphill.
The leaking pipe has since been fixed, and the sinkhole will be filled and sealed within the next two days, as stated by the spokesperson.
Although the visible hole at road level measures approximately 1.5m across, the cavity beneath the surface is much larger, with some areas reaching depths of up to 1.5m and widths of 3m.
“Contractors have dug up to 5m deep and 4m wide to ensure that all loose material has been removed,” the spokesperson explained.
Currently, one lane of the road surrounding the sinkhole is closed off, but there are no other concerns at the site.
“Once the repairs are complete, we anticipate reopening the lane to traffic,” the spokesperson added.
— APL
