Houston METRO shut down three light rail lines to make repairs on overhead electrical wires. The Red Line extension from UH-Downtown to the Northline Transit Center along with the Green and Purple lines were shut down late Wednesday afternoon, with the agency implementing Bus shuttles along those lines to transport customers.

There have been two recent wire breaks, one near the Burnett Bridge along the Red Line and a second near the intersection of Dallas and Scott streets. Due to the fact this issue involves live electrical wires, which could pose a potential risk to the general public, staff determined an immediate fix is necessary.

"METRO's top priority is safety and any potential hazard is unacceptable," said METRO President/CEO Tom Lambert.

The wires will be reinforced at 79 locations to prevent them from falling in the event of another break. A longer-term solution is currently being evaluated.

"Unfortunately, this is not an issue that is visible and we don't know there is a problem until a break occurs. So, we are doing everything necessary to take corrective action now," Lambert added.

It is anticipated repair work may take about one week to complete, with the agency saying that rail service will be restored incrementally as that becomes possible.