In my humble opinion, the biggest danger isn't to pedestrians and bicyclists, but to the Class I when some fool tosses a piece of rail, rebar, or even a decent-sized piece of wood onto the tracks to see what happens when the big, bad choo-choo hits it at speed.

Locally, the only similar provision was made on the Sunrise Avenue bridge across the American River in Fair Oaks. A space sufficient for light rail was included in the upgrade... ...and promptly fenced off so neither pedestrians nor wheeled vehicles can use it.