CAMDEN — Town officials in Camden are urging motorists to use caution, and possibly seek alternate routes through downtown Camden Friday afternoon and early evening while an emergency sewer line repair gets underway.

Camden Wastewater Department Superintendent David Bolstridge said that while making routine inspections downtown, they popped a manhole cover on the road in front of Smiling Cow and discovered there was a sewer backup.

“We went in to clean it with a high pressure line, but it didn’t do anything to remedy the backup,” said Bolstridge. “So we dropped a camera in and saw that the roof of the sewer pipe, a section had collapsed.”

The means that the town will need to go and dig up the affected area and replace the broken pipe, said Bolstridge. He estimated the work to take four to six hours, barring unforeseen circumstances.

“We are hoping there is no other damage to the pipe, and once we can remove the broken piece and inspect it, we will know for sure,” he said.

So far, there has been no overflow or leaking from the sewer pipe. Bolstridge said the pipe has been able to handle the flow, but has been restricted.

“Interstate Septic came in and cleaned above the manhole, removing solids to buy us some time to do the repair work,” said Bolstridge. “And luckily, no overflow has breached the pipe.”

Camden Police Chief Randy Gagne said Main Street, in front of Smiling Cow, will be reduced to one lane of traffic beginning at 1:30 p.m. July 24.

Flaggers will alternate northbound and southbound traffic through downtown, which is already a congested traffic area this time of year, especially on Fridays.

Travelers should and can expect delays for the duration of the repair, which should last until around 5:30 or 7:30 p.m.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655.