St. Louis MetroLink tunnels overwhelmed by heavy rainfall

Some areas in St. Louis received nearly a foot of rainfall on July 26.

A 100-year rain event hit the St. Louis region on July 26, and it made a spectacle out of the St. Louis MetroLink.

The system’s subway tunnels were engulfed in water, leaving one train stuck and leaving behind about $20 million in damage. Some areas received nearly a foot of rainfall. Most of the damage was between the Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Delmar Loop stations. During the early morning hours of July 26, MetroLink’s train safety system put the two stations in a dead zone due to the flooding, which forced operators to stop and evacuate a train near at Delmar Loop. It will cost $5 million alone to replace the equipment.

Floodwaters also damaged fiber optic cables which are used to send signals along the line. Ballast also was washed out and will need to be replaced.

It could take as long as two weeks to make the needed repairs.

Read more articles on track maintenance.