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