Mudslide on tracks halts Sounder, Amtrak service between Seattle, Everett

Sounder commuter rail service between Everett and Seattle was halted this morning and will not run again until the Thursday evening commute at the soonest because of a mudslide across the tracks, according to Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray.

Amtrak rail service is also shut down between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., until at least 7:40 a.m. Thursday, and Amtrak passengers are being provided with bus service between Seattle and Everett, where passengers will board the train for Vancouver, according to an Amtrak spokesman.

The mudslide blocked the tracks about eight miles south of Edmonds this morning, forcing passengers on two of the four Sounder commuter trains to disembark at Edmonds Station and ride buses the rest of the way to Seattle.

Both Sounder and Amtrak operate on railway owned and maintained by BNSF. The railway requires a 48-hour waiting period after mudslides before resuming passenger service to ensure safe operating conditions.

Gus Melonas, spokesman for BNSF, said a tree was reported leaning onto the tracks near Seattle's Carkeek Park at about 7:30 a.m., an indication the soil was unstable. Inspectors sent to the area found there was a slide up to 20 feet high, 40 feet wide and 50 feet long that extended into Puget Sound.

Melonas said the slide included about 40 trees, some as tall as 30 feet. He blamed the slide on recent heavy rains, which saturated the soil in the area.

Burlington Northern brought in equipment, including excavators and a ditching machine, to remove the debris, Melonas said.

While passenger service is cut off until Thursday, BNSF was able to open one line for freight this afternoon. The second line for freight should open Wednesday, Melonas said.

Sound Transit passengers are advised to check the Sound Transit Web site (www.soundtransit.org) or call the toll-free service hotline (888-889-6368) before making Thursday evening Sounder travel plans.

The Sounder north line normally runs four weekday round trips between Everett and Seattle with stops in Mukilteo and Edmonds.

Alternative commute options:

• Seattle to Edmonds: Take Community Transit Route 404 at Fourth Avenue South and South Jackson Street in Seattle for service to Edmonds Station. Extra buses will be available to reduce overcrowding.

• Seattle to Mukilteo: Take Community Transit Route 417 at Fourth Avenue South and South Jackson Street in Seattle for service to Mukilteo Station.

• Seattle to Everett: Chartered bus service will be available this afternoon at Fourth Avenue South and South Jackson Street in Seattle for direct service to the Everett Station. Riders also may board Sound Transit Express Route 510 at Fourth Avenue South and South Jackson Street for service to Everett Station.

For more information go to:

www.soundtransit.org/Riding-Sound-Transit/Schedules-and-Facilities/Service-Interruptions/Bus-alternatives.xml.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com