Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo Lawrence utility workers Mike Hayes, left, and Mark Nelson work to flush a water line at the corner of Ninth and Iowa streets Thursday morning while other utility employees repair a water main that busted early Thursday morning. Traffic at the intersection was reduced to one lane.

A waterline break near Ninth and Iowa streets likely will slow traffic this morning.

One northbound lane of traffic on Iowa Street will be closed through midday to allow crews to repair a break of a six-inch waterline underneath the street.

Crews were called to the area early Thursday to fix the line, above. Water service was restored quickly, but crews were not able to fully patch the street. That work will take place today.

• 6News video: Waterline break slows traffic (08-11-05)

Lisa Patterson, the city’s communications director, said this was a time of year when waterlines were susceptible to breaks. She said the dry weather caused the ground to shift, which can be a problem for cast-iron lines.