SEPTA bus gets stuck in fresh cement in South Philadelphia, ruining long-awaited pothole repairs
A South Philadelphia community waited more than a year for potholes to be repaired. Then, a SEPTA bus rolled through freshly poured cement — and got stuck.
Video obtained by CBS News Philadelphia shows the SEPTA bus driving right through wet cement, sinking into it right outside Termini Brothers Bakery's South 8th Street location.
The cement was being used to repair a pothole that the bakery's manager, Vince Termini, said they had waited more than two years for. The work was finally done and less than two minutes later, a SEPTA bus rolled right through the cement.
"Our reaction was just like, ' What are we going to do now? They just literally fixed it a couple minutes ago," said Marlen Palacios, who was working at the bakery when the bus arrived.
The bus got stuck, spun its wheels without moving as the driver tried to get it out, leaving behind deep tire tracks in the cement. The bus was towed out a few hours later.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said the driver should not have been driving on that block because a detour was in effect. SEPTA is investigating the incident, he said.
Surveillance video shows passengers getting off the bus and moving the barriers that were blocking off the freshly poured cement. The bus then moves forward, driving straight through the work zone and ruining long-awaited repairs.
"I assume the passengers were trying to be helpful. We would want to encourage folks to not do that. Don't remove road closures," Busch said.
Crews refilled the holes with asphalt on Friday, and Termini staff were on hand to thank them with some treats.
No injuries have been reported.
"This is the most Philly thing ever," said Leigh Goldenberg, who lives around the corner.
