AMSTERDAM — For the past three weeks, the only water running near Riverlink Park was from the Mohawk.

Contractors began Thursday to repair a water main that runs perpendicular under the CSX railroad tracks. The main had provided the only source of potable water to Riverlink Park.

The city’s Department of Public Works was alerted about three weeks ago that water was bubbling up between the railroad tracks near the park, signaling a water main break, according to DPW Supervisor Ray Halgas.

Halgas said the repair of the line took so long because the city had to wait for approvals from CSX to work and dig under the railroad tracks.

The city also had to hired a subcontractor, Dan’s Excavation out of Johnstown, to do the work and another contractor from Syracuse to ensure the work was being done to CSX specifications.

It is unlikely that water will be restored by the time a usually busy Labor Day weekend rolls around.

City Engineer Richard Phillips said the contractors are boring a new 18-inch casing pipe under the railroad and were 80 percent done by Thursday. Once the casing pipe is finished, they will install a new water main inside the casing to reconnect water on each side and restore water service to Riverlink Park.

“It doesn’t sound like we’ll be done by the weekend,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the water main break was unfortunate during the summer boating and recreation season.

Water was cut off to the restaurant at Riverlink, which meant no working restrooms. Also boaters were unable to restock their water supplies.

“It’s been a tremendous disappointment for the boaters on the canal who want to resupply themselves with fresh water. It’s an unfortunate situation that’s beyond our control,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the situation could have been worse. He said typically dealing with an agency as large as the railroad can take months.

“I’m amazed that we’re getting it done as fast as we are,” he said. “With new projects under the railroad you should be in applications and paperwork for two to three months.”

The city had to work with railroad officials from as far away as Jacksonville, Fla., and were even set back two days because the railroad was unable to send a flag man because of Hurricane Fay.

The flag man has to alert the workers when a train is coming so they can get out of the way of the speeding freights.

Phillips said he expects the work to be completed by next week before the weekend.