Traffic along Madison Avenue in Winslow continues to face delays as construction crews work to fix a troublesome water main along one of the city’s major routes to downtown.

“There’s an old water main and it’s undersized,” said Chris Hammer of Bainbridge Island’s public works department. “We’re putting in a new 12-inch water main south of the roundabout (on High School Road) down to the Wallace Way intersection.”

The pipe segment being replaced is 6 inches in diameter and is made of asbestos and concrete. It lays between two newer segments of pipe that are 12 inches in diameter.

The new pipe will be 12 inches to match the connecting segments of the water line, and will be comprised of ductile iron.

While the pipe is in the process of being replaced, water customers will experience some interruptions, Hammer said.

“The worst case will be for a couple of hours, and (customers) will be notified in advance,” Hammer said.

Madison Avenue, which is one of a handful of main arteries through Winslow, will be converted into a single lane at select portions between the roundabout on High School Road and Wallace Way until July 15.

Hammer is optimistic, however, that the work can be done before the construction deadline.

“We are hoping that most of the water main work will be done by the end of the month,” he said. “Of course, the street will be available for the July 4 parade.”

Hammer noted that the core work consists of excavating and replacing the old pipeline, which is the work that will stall traffic.

Once that is finished, the road will be opened back up to two lanes before final paving is completed.