SEATTLE — Cracks on the tracks are forcing light rail trains to slow down dramatically as they near Seattle from the south.
The Seattle Times reports that Sound Transit maintenance workers discovered the cracks during a routine inspection Sept. 20. Since then, operators on Link light rail trains have been under orders to slow down to less than 10 mph (16 kph) as they near Seattle heading northbound.
The damage showed up in a 1,200-foot area, where the Link light-rail corridor crosses over Interstate 5. Transit spokeswoman Kimberly Reason says the slowdown order is precautionary.
The Times reports that Sound Transit waited almost two weeks to issue a rider alert and press release Tuesday — and that came only after the newspaper inquired about the slowdown. Reason says that’s because it was a developing situation, problems were still being diagnosed and bus detours were still under discussion.
A 5-mile (8-kilometer) segment will be shut down completely on Saturday for track repairs.
