CHOKEPOINTS

Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland suspended this week

Aug 10, 2026, 3:20 PM

Amtrak...

An Amtrak train approaches a station. (Photo: Brandon Bell, Getty Images)

(Photo: Brandon Bell, Getty Images)

Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland is suspended through Friday due to a track obstruction caused by an earlier warehouse fire near Portland.

The fire on Aug. 2 left a key stretch of track unusable, forcing a halt to regular train operations in the corridor while crews work to assess and repair the damage. Service was expected to resume today but has been extended.

Alternate transportation and cancellations

To keep passengers moving, Amtrak is providing alternate bus transportation for most scheduled trains between Seattle and Portland. However, limited bus availability means that some departures have been canceled altogether.

Customers with affected reservations are encouraged to closely review their updated travel plans and allow extra time for their journey, as bus schedules and travel times may differ from regular train service.

Change and refund options

Amtrak is offering flexible options for impacted customers: they can rebook at no additional charge to travel on another day, or cancel for a full refund, regardless of fare restrictions.

These options are available to all customers whose trips are affected by the disruption.

Direct notifications to customers

Impacted travelers will receive direct notifications from Amtrak via SMS (text message), email, and the Amtrak app.

Messages will include the latest information about itinerary changes, replacement bus options where available, and any cancellations.

Check your train status

Customers are strongly encouraged to check the status of their train before heading to the station. The most up-to-date information is available here.

Travelers can also monitor notifications in the Amtrak app for real-time updates.

Commitment to safety

Amtrak has emphasized that the disruption is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of customers and employees while crews address the track obstruction near Portland.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to restore safe service between Seattle and Portland,” Amtrak said in a statement.

Service updates will continue to be shared as more information becomes available and as repair work progresses.

Follow James Lynch on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

Chokepoints

garbage truck fire NB I-5...

Jason Sutich

NB I-5 off-ramp to West Seattle back open after garbage truck fire

The exit ramp to West Seattle from northbound I-5 is fully blocked on Monday while a garbage truck burns in the middle of the roadway.

2 hours ago

tacoma car crash fatal...

MyNorthwest Staff

One killed after car splits in half in violent Tacoma crash

The collision happened just after 11 p.m. on Portland Avenue. A 28-year-old man, Duran Tessema, hit a power pole so hard that it cut his car in half.

8 hours ago

9th ave...

Chris Sullivan

SDOT plans to paint over Convention Center street art that won’t come off 9th Ave.

SDOT, which granted the Seattle Convention Center the permit to paint 9th Ave., now has a plan to fix the problem.

3 days ago

I-405 (2)...

Nate Connors

A full closure of I-405 will make for a rough weekend commute

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has scheduled a full closure of northbound I-405 between Renton and Bellevue.

3 days ago

road with paint seattle convention center...

Chris Sullivan

Seattle Convention Center paints itself into a transportation mess on 9th Ave

A Seattle Convention Center art event left a key I-5 access road covered in paint that can't be removed, and there's no timeline to reopen.

5 days ago

sb i-5 semi-truck backup...

Jason Sutich

All lanes of SB I-5 reopen near Ship Canal Bridge after semi-truck collision caused 7-mile backup

All lanes have been reopened along southbound I-5 near the Ship Canal Bridge after a collision involving a semi-truck.

6 days ago

Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland suspended this week