Damage to tunnel at Westlake Link light rail station causing weeks of delays

SEATTLE — Those who use the Sound Transit Link light rail system can expect massive delays the next few weeks as crews do emergency maintenance at the Westlake station.

According to Sound Transit, the damage happened Tuesday when construction crews trying to remove a clock above the station accidentally ripped a hole in the roof of the tunnel. Debris did fall, but no one was hurt when this happened.

“Originally, we thought that the damage was very limited. But when we looked at it more closely we realized that the damage was more substantial,” John Gallagher with Sound Transit said.

Gallagher says this closure is necessary to allow Sound Transit to investigate the damage.

“This is entirely for safety reasons. You know, we understand the frustrations that people are having,” Gallagher said.

Sound Transit also has staffed people at the Westlake Station, as well as other stations impacted by this, in order to assist passengers. KIRO 7 spoke with several passengers at the Westlake Station about the delays. While a majority of people understand the need for Sound Transit to shut down the portion of the station damaged, they are still frustrated by the whole thing.

“I wish there was a better way that King County could just make it easier for people to take transit,” Zile Dzenitis, who lives in Seattle, said.

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Damage to tunnel at Westlake Link light rail station causing weeks of delays

Dzenitis was trying to get to Sea-Tac Airport on Friday afternoon. Given how long it would’ve taken to wait for the train, she says she would have missed her flight. So, she tried to see if anyone was willing to split a Lyft or Uber to save money.

“I couldn’t have planned for this and unfortunately, I’m stuck unless I find a more expensive way to get to the airport,” Dzenitis said.

Locals weren’t the only ones having trouble with the delays. People visiting the area also say the communication at stations was confusing.

“But how am I supposed to know? We missed a train because we could’ve gotten on it but didn’t know because the signage doesn’t say that you can,” Amy Gepfert, who was visiting the area, said.

Sound Transit is urging people to allow themselves extra time to get to where they need to go during this time. They have also released this information on what people need to do when using the light rail system these next few weeks, including ways to get to Climate Pledge Arena for Friday’s Kraken game.

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