Sandbags used for railway sea wall repairs along Ballard beaches

BNSF Railway have placed a number of sandbags to reinforce the sea wall along the beach connecting Golden Gardens and North Beach. My Ballard reader Liz Neuman sent us this photo, voicing her concerns about the safety of the quick fix.

“The fallen rock supports that are lying below the beach wall are being replaced with the photographed bags and landscape blocks creating what looks like a bizarre and disturbing precedent,” Neuman says. “When one thinks of the cargo traveling day and night along our local coast, this is of great concern.”

BNSF spokesperson Courtney Wallace says the sandbags are part of their ongoing maintenance program for Washington railways. She didn’t give a timeline for a more permanent fix, but said that crews are currently working throughout the state and, “schedules can change based on priorities and need.”