Here is Rad Sallee's story from today's press conference (10/15/2007):

Richmond rail opponents this morning claimed that an August 2006 study by a consultant for the city warns that stray electrical current from the planned University light rail line could cause "catastrophic failures" in a 66-inch water line beneath the street.

The news conference in front of McClain Gallery on Richmond near Kirby was timely as the agenda for Metro's Thursday morning board meeting calls for a vote on a route for the University line.

According to gallery owner Robert McClain and other opponents of rail on Richmond, including Afton Oaks resident Chris Seger, the study by Lockwood Andrews & Newnam said "relocation of the existing transmission line away from the new rail system is warranted."

Seger said the study also shows it would cost more than $25 million and cause great disruption in the neighborhood to relocate the line.

Seger also cited a 1986 document from the American Society for Testing and Materials, that describes failure of pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe as "spectacular bursts scattering shards of concrete and resulting in a hole reminiscent of a bomb crater."

Metro officials were not immediately available for comment. However, the opponents cited a report by Metro consultant TCB Transit that said the pipe will be protected from the effects of stray current and that there are "no anticipated adverse effects" from building rails over it.

The opponents' statement said the TCB report was misleading and failed to adequately address the alleged hazard.

Metro officials long have been aware of stray current from the Red Line on Main Street. The agency is working with contractor Siemens Transportation System, to remedy the problem.

Metro says no evidence of damage to structures or utilities nearby has been shown to be the result of stray current.