Seattle’s Sound Transit is investigating the cause of cracks in the rails of its signature Link light-rail system. Discovered as part of a routine inspection in mid-September and since repaired, the cracks occurred along a 1,200-ft section of the line’s northbound crossing of Interstate 5. Although the damaged rails were deemed safe, Sound Transit trains operated at substantially reduced speeds through the affected area until the entire five-mile section, opened in late 2009, could be fully assessed.
No other track irregularities were found, says Sound Transit spokesperson Kimberly Reason, who declined to estimate how long it will take to diagnose the cause of the cracks.