KTRH-740 is reporting that Texas Medical Center officials are concerned about potential damage caused by the “stray current” associated with Metro’s light rail:
Texas Medical Center officials want answers from Metro about the light-rail line’s “stray current” and what damage it might do as it runs through the hospital complex. The train line is apparently seeping electricity which seems to have damaged some nearby structures elsewhere along its route.
St. Luke’s Hospital is building a new medical tower just 25 feet from the rail line, and the hospital’s vice president, Mike Reno, says engineers are running tests to make sure the stray current won’t cause serious damage.
A recent draft report from the transit authority raised concerns that the stray current could be eating away at various metal structures along the line, possibly even damaging underground utilities and pipelines. Metro has estimated that fixing the problem could cost nearly $3 million.
And Metro — the transit agency that wants to build MORE light rail — is still refusing to release the draft report on the “stray current” problem.
Thanks to Tom Bazan for the link.
