Partial METRORail Shutdown for Emergency Repairs

Immediate repairs are underway on portions of METRORail to address potential hazards involving overhead electrical wires. The Red Line extension from UH-Downtown to the Northline Transit Center along with the Green and Purple lines were shutdown late Wednesday afternoon. Bus shuttles are available along those lines to transport customers. Rail Service along the Red Line between UH-Downtown and Fannin South will not be impacted.

There have been two recent wire breaks, one near the Burnett Bridge along the Red Line and a second near the intersection of Dallas and Scott streets. Due to the fact this issue involves live electrical wires, which could pose a potential risk to the general public, staff determined an immediate fix is necessary.

"METRO's top priority is safety and any potential hazard is unacceptable," said METRO President and CEO Tom Lambert.

The wires will be reinforced at 79 locations to prevent them from falling in the event of another break. A longer-term solution is currently being evaluated.

"Unfortunately, this is not an issue that is visible and we don't know there is a problem until a break occurs. So, we are doing everything necessary to take corrective action now," added Lambert.

It is anticipated repair work may take about one week to complete. Rail service will be restored incrementally as that becomes possible.