Monorail to reopen this summer, after up to $4 million in repairs

The historic Seattle Center Monorail will reopen this summer, once damage from last November's crash is repaired, operators announced this morning.

Both monorail trains were heavily damaged when they sideswiped near Westlake Center the night of Nov. 26.

An estimated repair cost of $3 million to $4 million will be paid by a combination of insurance funds, future operating income, and possibly grants, all without diverting money from other city services, officials said.

The city will add an automatic train stopping system that will halt the trains if they are about to collide where the tracks converge near Westlake Center.

Today's announcement by Mayor Greg Nickels, Seattle Center Director Virginia Anderson, and Seattle Monorail Services Director Tom Albro does not include any proposal to replace either of the twin 44-year-old trains, or to rebuild the hazardous section of track that converges near Westlake Center

A one-way ticket will remain $1.75 per adult.