George Washington Bridge to get suicide prevention fence
August 29, 2014
New York and New Jersey
In response to an increase in suicide deaths by people jumping from the George Washington Bridge, a nine-foot-tall fence will be built along both sides of the bridge. The Port Authority which oversees the bridge between New York and New Jersey has taken many other steps to prevent suicides. “The Port Authority has stepped up police patrols, added surveillance cameras and installed hotline phones at the George Washington Bridge in recent years to help address the issue of bridge suicides, preventing more than 75 deaths since the beginning of last year,” spokesperson Ron Marsico said. In spite of these measures, 13 people ended their lives by jumping off the bridge in the first half of 2014. The Port Authority plans to install the fence as part of a large bridge renovation plan, which should be completed by 2022.
Spark Extra! Watch a 15-minute presentation on How Bridge Barriers Help Prevent Suicide.