When the beautiful bridge along Colorado Street over the Arroyo Seco River bed was built in Pasadena back in 1912, the builders never thought it would acquire the nickname, "Suicide Bridge" in just 20 years.
From the 1st recorded suicide in 1919, reports vary, as such old records would be difficult to research, but between 50 and 100 people jumped in the next 20 years.
Nothing I've found so far states how many suicides there have been since the first in 1919
The bridge underwent a twenty seven million dollar renovation in 1993, during which it received a suicide barrier. This has reduced the number of suicides, although the bridge still retains its nickname.
So the city this week plans to erect additional temporary barriers which officials hope will further help curb the number of suicide attempts.
The new fences will be an extension of the 10-foot barriers set up in 2016 in the bridge’s pedestrian alcoves and are meant to prevent suicides until the city begins construction on permanent barriers, a project set to go out to bid this fall.
In 2017, the first full year the alcove barriers were installed, Pasadena police responded 10 times to the bridge for a report of a jumper, according to interim police Chief John Perez.
This year already, four people have leaped to their deaths, according to Pasadena city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
The total cost of extending the temporary barriers comes in at $295,932, Derderian said.
Meanwhile, consultants this fall will bid to design a long-term solution. City officials know already that the permanent structures must be at least 7-½ feet and estimated they’ll cost between $2 million and $2.5 million.
http://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=57
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2018/09/04/pasadena-is-extending-temporary-fencing-on-colorado-street-bridge-to-deter-suicide-attempts/
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