Photo: FinkAvenue / iStock Editorial / Getty Images
UNDATED, Mich. -- Amtrak has resumed its Pere Marquette service between Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois, after a washout near Coloma disrupted operations over the weekend. The line, which had been closed since Saturday (April 4), reopened on Monday evening (April 6) following repairs.
The washout, caused by heavy rainfall, left sections of the track hanging unsupported, prompting immediate cancellations of Amtrak’s Pere Marquette Train 371 and CSX freight services. Substitute bus transportation was provided for affected passengers during the closure.
CSX, which owns and maintains the tracks, dispatched crews to repair the damage. The company worked continuously to restore the line, with repairs completed by Monday afternoon. A culvert was brought in from North Carolina to aid the repair process, ensuring no local costs were incurred.
The washout followed a week of significant rainfall in West Michigan, with 2 to 4 inches of rain recorded between Wednesday and Saturday. A track inspector discovered the washout in progress, allowing for quick action to prevent further incidents.
With the repairs complete, both Amtrak and CSX services have resumed normal operations, restoring vital connectivity between Grand Rapids and Chicago.