Work to address light rail track noise starts next week

Evening service changes expected during rail grinding work

Starting Monday, Dec. 7, Sound Transit contractors will begin smoothing the surface of the light rail tracks between Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The work will impact evening light rail service through the end of the month.

The work is expected to reduce the high-pitched noise some residents near the tracks have expressed concern about.

Trains will run every 15-20 minutes from 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. until Dec. 30. Normally, trains run every 10 minutes until 10 p.m., and every 15 minutes from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays.

No work will occur on Sunday nights or Dec. 25 - 27. Trains will operate on regular schedules those days.

Contractors will grind the surface of the rails with machinery mounted on a railcar that slowly travels up and down the tracks. The work will start after 7 p.m. and may continue till 4 a.m.

Grinding along the section of tracks in the Rainier Valley is expected to take up to a week. The grinding will make noise and Sound Transit has notified residents near the tracks of the upcoming work.

CONTACT: Bruce Gray - (206) 398-5069 or bruce.gray@soundtransit.org

Geoff Patrick - (206) 398-5313 or geoff.patrick@soundtransit.org