Rail service between Chicago and Grand Rapids is beginning to return to normal after emergency repairs to a flood-damaged section of track near Coloma.
Crews working for CSX Transportation have been on site since the weekend washout, and by late Monday, the line was repaired and reopened—at least on a temporary basis.
Rains over the weekend washed out the ground beneath the tracks, leaving sections of rail unsupported and forcing a full shutdown of both freight and passenger service.
Since then:
- CSX crews and contractors have worked around the clock to stabilize and rebuild the track bed
- Repairs included restoring the underlying foundation and addressing drainage issues, including installation of replacement infrastructure such as a culvert
- CSX indicated the line would be reopened Monday, allowing trains to begin moving again
Industry reporting also confirms that operations are now resuming following the outage that began Saturday
Current status
- Freight service: Resuming on the CSX line through Coloma
- Passenger service: Amtrak service on the Pere Marquette line is expected to restart as track access is restored
- Some residual delays or schedule adjustments are likely as operations normalize
After a complete shutdown over the weekend, the corridor is now back in service, though not yet fully back to normal capacity.
For Amtrak passengers
- Service between Chicago and Grand Rapids is moving toward restoration
- Riders should still:
- Check schedules before traveling
- Expect possible delays or modified service in the short term
The return of rail service is welcome news for travelers who rely on the Pere Marquette line serving St. Joseph and New Buffalo.
For local businesses and freight
- Freight trains are now moving again through the corridor, easing what could have become a larger supply-chain disruption
- Some backlog and shipment delays may take a few days to fully clear
The quick turnaround limits longer-term economic impact, but the shutdown underscores how vulnerable key infrastructure can be to heavy weather.
Photo Credit: WSBT.com WSBT TV22
