FDOT moves to curb suicides on Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here’s the plan
It’s estimated that more than 200 people have jumped to their deaths off of the 180-foot high Sunshine Skyway Bridge since the bridge opened in 1987, but those numbers are somewhat antiquated as suicides continue, hitting a record number in 2018 with 18.
The Florida Department of Transportation thinks they have a solution and are planning to build a “suicide barrier,” consisting of an 8-foot-high steel netting fence later this year, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The Skyway is ranked in the top four of the deadliest bridges for suicides. FDOT officials told the Times that the top three bridges are either being studied or action is being taken to help curb jumpers.
However, Jim Jacobsen, district structures maintenance engineer, said numbers continue to rise, “So we started to look at what other bridge owners worldwide,” he told the Times.
It’s an action family members of suicide victims have been calling for, for years.
FDOT has tried other measures such as the installation of crisis hotline phones and on-bridge cameras, with some success, but not enough, according to WTSP. Efforts included finding the funding for full-time troopers whose jobs it is to cross back and forth on the bridge looking for potential jumpers.
The “vertical net” project will cost about $3 million and FDOT decided on the materials because it is durable, but light weight and something the bridge can withstand without worrying about additional weight.
FDOT reports that installation could begin by this summer and once started, take about six months to complete.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255