Metro, Siemens at odds over electrical leaks

If you've been paying attention to the MetroRail line, you may have noticed that not only are the trains picking off drivers one at a time, but the line may be self-destructing thanks to electrical leaks. That's been a problem for some time, but it doesn't look like Metro is any closer to a resolution.

The question of whether the leaks are actually causing any problems is a touchy one for Metro and Siemens Transportation Systems, which built the rail line. Though Metro has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars fixing metal anchors it says were corroded by the stray current, a Siemens report issued in February said the leaks aren't causing any problems. Metro says other experts have found evidence of damaging leaks along the line and has called for more tests.

Though engineers are still looking at the line, KTRH doesn't seem to see an easy outcome for the argument: It reported yesterday that the dispute over the stray current could land Metro and Siemens in court. (For the record, the stray current isn't going to kill you, but running into the train still might — so we recommend you keep avoiding that.)