MetroRail malfunction closes frontage

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The southbound frontage road of Research Blvd just south of Burnet was shut down due to a Capital MetroRail crossing arm malfunction, Austin Police dispatchers said Tuesday.  The closure started around 7:30pm, and was back open by 8pm.

Cap Metro spokesman Adam Shaivitz said over the phone they won't know what caused the malfunction until Wednesday.

This isn’t the first time a MetroRail arm has malfunctioned. Flaggers are sometimes stationed near broken crossing arms to warn drivers of approaching MetroRail trains as the transit agency tests their system.

MetroRail trains were supposed to have passengers on them months ago, but the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been plagued with delays in the project. There is still no start date for the MetroRail system.