Normal service according to schedule may return to Blue Line operations in time for the Thursday morning commute. Repairs to the damaged catenary wires and a section of track along the Metro Blue Line that restricted trains to every 20 minutes are nearly complete.

Repairs were suspended due to lightning activity for about two hours this afternoon. Crews have now returned to the site to complete the repairs, weather permitting.

Once all repairs are made, a series of tests will need to be completed before the section of track / overhead power supply will be allowed to return to service, reports Bruce Shelburne, a rail operations director.

To avoid delays for the remainder of today, passengers are encouraged to use the Silver Line, Lines 450x and 460 and Green Line as alternate routing. Express zone charges for Harbor Transitway services are being waived until disruption is over. (See service advisory for current Blue Line schedule and alternate route details.)

A report update from Rail Operations director Bruce Shelburne is after the jump.
                                               ———————–

Tuesday 5 p.m. update. Blue Line Overhead Power Incident at Gage Ave.

Repair work:

All work was been suspended due to lightning activity for about 2 hours this afternoon. Crews have now returned to the site to continue.

The following work remains to be completed:

Replace the hanger wires between the support wire and the contact wire; All areas south of the Slauson Station grade have been completed, with less than 200′ of the grade section still needing to be repaired.

Once all repairs are made, a series of tests will have to be completed before the section of track / overhead power supply will be allowed to return to service.

Train service:

Blue Line Service will remain at trains every 20 minutes until further notice. Peak periods will have two trains running back-to-back in the same direction, followed by two trains in the opposite direction.

Alternate Bus Service:

Passengers are encouraged to use the Silver Line, Lines 450x and 460 and Green Line as alternate routing.

Southbound passengers at 7th St./Metro Center Station can board Silver Line on Flower, at 7th St., next to the Coffee Bean. Ride to the Harbor Green Line Station. Transfer to the Green Line “Norwalk” eastbound trains. Upon arrival at Imperial/Wilmington Station, exit the train and transfer to the Blue Line to continue south.

Northbound passengers can exit Blue Line trains at Imperial/Wilmington Station and transfer to the Green Line “Redondo Beach” westbound trains. Ride to the Harbor Green Line Station. Exit and transfer to the northbound Silver Line, Lines 450X and 460 buses on the freeway bus level boarding platform. Ride to downtown, exiting on Figueroa at 7th St. (7th St./Metro Center Station).

Expected Completion of Repairs and Return to Service:

As of this time, anticipated completion time is prior to the beginning of service on Thursday, December 23. At this time, plan on modified service levels, as noted above, for the remainder of Wednesday, December 22.

An update will be issued upon completion of the work.