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New Bridge Safety Issues

New Bridge Safety Issues

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

New Bridge Safety Issues
1/2/2024 at 12:27 PM

Love the new bridge, but I can see there are some safety issues right now with it. The Highwire fence is a good idea, but there isn’t any in some sections. In some sections, there is only a 8
inch curb to go over, and you would fall for a long, long ways down. So far we haven’t had any snow issues on the bridge, but if we do, it wouldn’t take much to go over the edge. Hopefully they have that scheduled to be done soon?
JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

Agreed!
1/2/2024 at 12:36 PM

There are sections of that bridge that do need a guard rail. All it would take is a little skid in the wrong spot, or a collision that causes at least one vehicle to jump that curb, and yes, that is a very long way down. Before someone says that if people drove properly there would be no problem, but we all know that accidents happen!
Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

new bridge issues
1/2/2024 at 1:09 PM

Maybe someone will have to go over first before they do anything about it like what happens in a lot of other cases.
SK19
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 346

SK19
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 346

Agreed!
1/2/2024 at 1:23 PM

The section heading north is very bad. The guard rail ends much too soon, it should be extended a considerable amount. If an accident happens, it could have a very serious outcome. I hope this isn’t the finished product. Unfortunately an accident is bound to happen at some point.
Meteor Garden
Joined: Before 2007
Posts: 303

Meteor Garden
Joined: Before 2007
Posts: 303

no street lights
1/2/2024 at 2:22 PM

There’s no lights on the bridge yet so those with dimmer headlights or one burnt out have a hard time seeing at night
ScottRS
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15

ScottRS
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15

wire fence
1/2/2024 at 3:05 PM

The high wire fence isn't there to stop vehicles - it's to stop people from jumping onto the train tracks.
JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

Yes
1/2/2024 at 4:09 PM

ScottRS said "The high wire fence isn't there to stop vehicles - it's to stop people from jumping onto the train tracks. "
But the cement barricade below that fence is also meant to stop cars from going over the edge. The cement barricade should be extended further.
Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

new bridge safety issues
1/2/2024 at 5:15 PM

Who is responsible to fix these glaring safety issues? If we have a considerable snowfall and ice build up then it’s only a matter of time before someone goes over the edge.
Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

.
1/2/2024 at 5:42 PM

Cadbury Creme Egg said "There’s no lights on the bridge yet so those with dimmer headlights or one burnt out have a hard time seeing at night "
Half the lights were installed recently, hopefully they will complete the rest soon. Agreed it’s very dark at night
robbie2
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 153

robbie2
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 153

Winter
1/2/2024 at 5:50 PM

I am sure that all the things missing will be completed in the spring
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Suicide barriers
1/3/2024 at 2:19 PM

bond1111 said "(post removed)"
I mean, you're right in that it may not necessarily deter people from committing suicide, simply displaces them to do it somewhere else. A quick Google search suggests that studies have been inconclusive. But it's important to remember that very often, suicidal thoughts can be very fleeting, and an impulsive person may act on them (and succeed) if there's an "easy" opportunity. They definitely reduce/eliminate suicides *at that location*. I've lived here 18 years now, and I can think of a handful of times that people have either tried or successfully jumped off either the 18th or 1st Street bridges.

Also, I've known people (or know people who know people) who drive busses, trains etc and have been impacted by someone choosing their vehicle to aid in their suicide. It's not just a bridge, but a bridge over a busy rail line. Their mental health is important too.

Plus, it stops people from throwing stuff off the bridge onto the train tracks.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Thank you
1/4/2024 at 11:14 AM

Abbysmum said "
I mean, you're right in that it may not necessarily deter people from committing suicide, simply displaces them to do it somewhere else. A quick Google search suggests that studies have been inconclusive. But it's important to remember that very often, suicidal thoughts can be very fleeting, and an impulsive person may act on them (and succeed) if there's an "easy" opportunity. They definitely reduce/eliminate suicides *at that location*. I've lived here 18 years now, and I can think of a handful of times that people have either tried or successfully jumped off either the 18th or 1st Street bridges.

Also, I've known people (or know people who know people) who drive busses, trains etc and have been impacted by someone choosing their vehicle to aid in their suicide. It's not just a bridge, but a bridge over a busy rail line. Their mental health is important too.

Plus, it stops people from throwing stuff off the bridge onto the train tracks.
"
Thank you for being a voice of reason on a very serious topic. Prairie Mountain Health has posted resources from a local perspective on Suicide Awareness as well as avenues to reach out to for help at:
https://prairiemountainhealth.ca/suicide-awareness
FredFeb
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 892

FredFeb
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 892

Lamps
1/4/2024 at 11:32 AM

When will they add lights??? You cannot see in the dark
Reston
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437

Reston
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437

better not
1/5/2024 at 6:14 PM

Summertime said "Half the lights were installed recently, hopefully they will complete the rest soon. Agreed it’s very dark at night "
That better not be " half the lights" They started a few on the north side but none on the actual bridge . It is a black hole and very hard to make out the lanes , i don't know if they painted the lines with water colors or if they just invisible due to the sand they keep tossing on it ( the street lines are terrible and almost non existing trough out the city not only on the highways responsibility ) In my opinion that bridge was only opened pre mature due to looming penalties but thats just my guess