In 2021, the state plans to finish an environmental review process, and pending federal approval, break ground.Ĭongressman Brian Higgins released a statement on this: According to the state, this will be turned “into a spectacular park.” The overall plan is to “free up to 45 acres for development through the removal of the Skyway Bridge,” Cuomo’s office says. Andrew Cuomo provided details on the plan to remove the Skyway from Buffalo’s waterfront. “I can’t change anything, but I know that the jump protection will emotionally help a lot of people.”Ĭontact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-80 or, or call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by dialing 2-1-1.BUFFALO, N.Y.
The elder King said the fencing will bring peace of mind to him and others who’ve lost a loved one there because they know the numbers won’t grow. King said he’s grateful the state finally took action, but it was too late for his only child, 40-year-old Jason King, who jumped from the Skyway in 2012. Gary King of Gulfport said completion of the barrier brings him waves of different emotions. Also key is urging people to seek treatment and making sure treatment is available, Reynolds said. Removing the bridge as an option for suicidal people is progress, but only one step in addressing a national suicide epidemic, Clara Reynolds, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay executive director, told the Times earlier this year. “Now that the fence is complete and all have gone home, we will now get to see how well it works,” he wrote. Richard Fortner surmised that the construction activity and associated law enforcement presence helped reduce the number of suicide attempts. Will it save more lives than if this barrier wasn’t in place? Absolutely.” “Will it deter 100% of suicidal people? No. ”When someone is actively suicidal, the more barriers (literally and figuratively speaking) in place, the harder it is for them to follow through,” wrote Tiff McClanathan, who said she is a mental health and substance use therapist. Other commenters noted the barrier does not obstruct the bridge’s breathtaking views and is worth the cost if it saves just one life. “If they want to end it, they will find a way.” “It’s like putting a big ugly bandaid on a big wound and expecting it to stop the bleeding,” commenter Ashley Paul said. Address the lack of mental health care in Florida!!!” “So now we have a ugly fence on a beautiful bridge. “I know it’s not going to stop them!” Facebook user Carolyn Provenzano posted on the page of, a website that has tracked Skyway suicide activity since 1998. Some online commenters have called the barrier an ugly waste of money. The new suicide prevention barrier behind him reaches nearly 11 feet and is difficult to climb. Steve Gaskins stands at the peak of the southbound span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. “We’re going to monitor it over time and if they become obsolete and are never used, then we can look at removing them,” Jacobsen said.įlorida Highway Patrol Sgt. Six phones that connect to counselors at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay were installed in 1999 at the top of the bridge and will remain in place for now. Officials hope the barrier will pose enough of a deterrent to keep people from trying, but if they do, it gives troopers more time to reach them. Gaskins said he wasn’t aware of any attempt calls involving someone trying to scale the new barrier.įor the time being, the Transportation Department will continue to contract with the Highway Patrol to have troopers assigned to the bridge for rapid response to suspected suicide attempts, department spokesperson Kris Carson. In February, a Bradenton teen jumped and reportedly survived.
In addition to the trucker’s suicide in January, the Highway Patrol has logged five suicide attempts from the bridge this year, said Sgt. “It really disappears against the sky and water.” “It’s what we anticipated,” he said this week. There were no incidents during construction and Mother Nature mostly cooperated, Jacobsen said.īefore the project got underway, Jacobsen said the marine-grade netting would be almost invisible to motorists speeding by at 65 mph. Crews worked from the 12-foot-wide shoulder of the bridge as traffic zoomed by, avoiding the need to close lanes.
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