A safer crossing has been built.  It is similar to the many street crossings of railroad tracks, but this one is for non motorized transport.  Speed bumps and right angle turns should provide safety by preventing cyclists from zooming, with out hesitation, across the tracks.  Stop, look both ways and then proceed.

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In spring of the year 2001, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe railroad placed barriers where the South Bay Trail crossed railroad property.  The trail officially ended at tracks, but people did the obvious and continued into Boulevard Park.  After the barriers went up, folks went around anyway calling them "The Burlington Wall." 

At one point, the mayor of Bellingham lead a group of pedestrians across the tracks, near this point where the city has an easement.  This demonstrated need for a crossing.  Finally, the railroad and city  worked out a crossing plan.

With high speed trains; especially Amtrak; railroad officials worry about safety of crossings.  They try to minimize the number of crossing points, but many streets, with cars, cross the tracks.  Maybe some of the street crossings can be eliminated, but pedestrians should rate at least as high as automobiles.  This popular crossing is as important as many of the street crossings even though there are no cars. 

Photo of "Burlington Wall" that has now been replaced with a pedestrian/bike crossing.