PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Delays keep flooding in for PECO crews who are attempting to repair a water main that broke last July on Sansom Street near Juniper Street.
The pipes were replaced in November, and PECO crews have since taken over. But Philadelphia Water Department spokesman John DiGiulio said their job is going to take longer than originally anticipated.
READ: Center City water main break leaves behind a muddy mess
"You have an idea of what you need to do, but sometimes you get your eyes on it and see that it's slightly different," he said, "so once they got their eyes on what was happening underground, they found additional work that had to be done that's just required more time."
BREAKING: Huge water main break at 12th and Walnut in Center City. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/dOxscEN6GB
— Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio)
July 3, 2018 Juniper and Sansom in Center City right now. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/2gswXplWqG
— Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio)
July 3, 2018 PECO's completion date is now set for March 31, but that still won't be the end of repairs, according to DiGiulio.
"The Water Department itself needs another month to come back to replace the handicap ramps at the intersection to replace the curbs and mill and pave the street," he added, "and we think that, unfortunately, this could carry on until June of this year."
The delays are another blow for nearby merchants, like hair stylist Kurt Darhower, who has had to adjust his work schedules. He can only open when he has clients.
