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Broken South Boston 'Big Dig' Hydrants Will Cost $1 Million To Fix

BOSTON (CBS) - The state will have to shell out more than $1 million to fix 15 broken fire hydrants in South Boston.

The hydrants are located on a busy road next to the Boston Convention Center and were installed in 1992 as part of the Big Dig.

They've been out of service for six years, but the problem only came to light recently. The Boston Herald was first to report the issue.

The hydrants are owned by Mass DOT.

Mayor Menino says maintenance of the hydrants got lost in the shuffle when the transportation department was re-organized.

"We're aware of it; the DOT is aware of it; and we agreed to work together on solving the problem," Mayor Menino said.

The fire department has extra water tanker trucks on standby in case there's a fire in the area with the broken hydrants.

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