USA: The Amtrak Portland–Seattle disruption remains indefinite after a fire left a Centennial Mills warehouse near Portland Union Station unstable, forcing train cancellations and bus substitutions across the corridor.

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Photo: Amtrak

Cancellations and buses split the corridor

Amtrak said Friday that trains 500 and 511 between Portland and Seattle were canceled without substitute bus service. Replacement buses were operating for trains 502, 503, 504, 507, 508 and 509, while trains 505 and 518 were also being handled by buses Friday. Portland–Eugene passenger trains continued to operate normally because they do not need to pass the damaged warehouse.

Under the regular Amtrak Cascades timetable, the Seattle–Portland corridor has 12 trains a day, or six round trips. The official Amtrak Cascades train-status page provides up-to-the-minute information for individual services.

The closure also breaks through journeys at Portland. Passengers traveling north from Eugene beyond Portland, or south from Seattle beyond Portland, may have to leave the train in Vancouver, Washington, travel by bus across the Columbia River and board another train in Portland. Travelers booked on trains 500 and 511 were told to arrange their own transportation between Portland and Vancouver.

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Demolition deadline is not a reopening date

The rail line between Vancouver and Portland remains closed because the fire-damaged Centennial Mills warehouse is considered extremely unstable and at risk of collapse. Nearby Fields Park has also been closed as a precaution.

Portland has given the building owners until Aug. 14 to begin demolition and ordered 24-hour security around the property. The owners have hired a structural engineer and are working with state and local officials, but the deadline applies to the start of demolition rather than completion of the work or restoration of rail traffic.

Officials have not announced when the tracks can reopen. For passengers with upcoming trips, Amtrak directs reservation and travel questions to 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245), also listed on the Amtrak Cascades contact page.

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