SOLOMONS, Md. – The push continues for the addition of barriers and safety nets along the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge after a man jumped off and died recently.
Decades of research have shown nets and barriers to be the most effective measure against bridge suicides. Because of the impulsive nature of many suicides, taking away easy access drastically reduces deaths.
In August, the state released a study that said the main objective is to deter or impede individuals from climbing the existing bridge and jumping. While there are clearly pros, barriers often face opposition because of aesthetics, logistics, and cost. The study shows the cost of the suicide deterrents could be up to $13.3 million and could take up to 34 months to complete.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) says installing barriers is a proven method of preventing individuals from jumping. They also encourage chain links, plexiglass, steel mesh, and netting to be installed to delay or prevent a suicide attempt.
AFSP wants lawmakers to pass legislation that would provide federal funding for bridge barriers as well as work with state Departments of Transportation and state and municipal governments to establish regulation and funding of barriers.
When D.C. authorities installed fencing at the Duke Ellington Bridge, which crosses Rock Creek Park in Northwest Washington, suicides decreased by 90 percent, and jumps at nearby bridges did not increase.
In September, The Biden administration allocated $232.2 million in grants to help stem suicides and improve behavioral health care for at-risk groups, but none of that money is slotted for barriers or netting.
April Ryan of California, MD started a change.org petition last year. It has more than 10,000 signatures.
“If suicide prevention measures were added to the Thomas Johnson Bridge, then families would not have to experience the trauma and tragedy we have seen happen too often recently,” says Ryan.
The petition is still getting exposure and was signed just this week by several people. One person posted, “It’s our responsibility to help protect those who need our protection. A barrier could give a second thought to those individuals who need to pause life.”
The 46-year old Gov. Thomas Johnson bridge links Calvert and St. Mary’s counties on Route 4. The state transportation says nearly 24,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day.
Currently, there are signs on the bridge that lead individuals to a crisis hotline but officials think more can be done.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also reach a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
Tear down the bridge and don’t replace it, problem solved
Lol…
This is a very ridiculous comment
No it’s not, yours is
To be clear, I would love people not to jump off the bridge, but is a $13 million money well spent on this? If people are going to kill themselves, a net won’t stop them. Put the money (and more) towards suicide prevention and social services instead.
How about a few parking spaces at the top and a diving board?
What a waste of 13 million!
Did you even bother to read the article? Putting nets on the Duke Ellington Bridge cut suicides by 90%. 13 million is a pretty cheap price to save dozens of lives every year.
So that group of 90%, decided not commit suicide at all, because they could no longer do it from that particular bridge? Sounds like a well selected stat to misquote.
Cut suicides by 90%? So you did the research that shows they didn’t do it another way? Our tax dollars shouldn’t go to delaying the inevitable…
I read it, Waste of MONEY!!!
Take the $13M and build a new bridge.
AMEN No Bueno – DO NOT PUT UP A PRIVITIZED BRIDGE THAT’S GOING TO BE TOLLED!!!
Let’s study if the bridge could support the weight of all this its at risk now! Put fund to replace bridge and modify at that time.
That bridge isn’t getting replaced in any of our lifetimes
Are they still talking about replacing the bridge? Anything to deter people is great. I’m just wondering if they still want to replace the bridge why not just build one that is lower?
It is a must to have a bridge in this area as a traffic egress route due to many factors in Calvert and St Marys counties .
Replace the bridge at an elevation similar to the Benedict Bridge however with 4 lanes . Put in some kind of draw or turn table that allows boat movement on both sides of the bridge to access North and South points of the river ,,, Make the Draw or turn table large enough to allow what ever military ship that would need access to Northern parts of the river ….Consideration should be taken if any at all large ships need access to northern point on the river …when estimating the kind of draw…
Two issues fixed ..
1.the safety and flow of traffic .
2 cant jump and die off a lower bridge ,therefore eliminating safety netting or safety equipment …
There’s my 2 cents for a multimillion dollar issue ,,,
They will need to make a 4 lane highway on the St Marys side from the base of the bridge to the RT5 intersection ,,, with the population growth they will have to eventually make this are a 4 lane road anyhow, do it now, for projected growth in the area
Tear it down and leave it down, problem solved
How long are we going to allow the government to waste our hard earned money catering to every person’s issues? We must stop trying to protect everyone from everything!
We have cars that drive themselves and tell us what to do, smart devices that do everything for us and yet we have more problems today. Almost every road in southern Maryland now has guardrails! Let Darwin work!
Build a new, lower bridge, but DON’T waste my money making it dem proof!
Suicide prevention is much more important. Saving a like is more important than anesthetics of the bridge or view, don’t you agree.