None of the 13 bridges spanning Portland's rivers has a complete suicide barrier, and state lawmakers say that has to change. Democratic Rep. Paul Evans of Monmouth is preparing to push for a requirement that new Oregon bridges include suicide-protection barriers, while also examining a grant program that could help pay for retrofitting existing spans that need the same protection.
Evans, a member of the House Transportation Committee, called the barriers a worthwhile and necessary step, according to OregonLive.com. He also said bridge barriers should be included in a future transportation package, per the same report. The Oregon Department of Transportation, which manages several of Portland's river bridges, faces a projected budget deficit of $200 million, a financial backdrop that looms over any statewide barrier proposal.
The push follows an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive into the lack of suicide-prevention measures on Oregon bridges, the outlet notes. One Portland river bridge received an average of three to four similar 911 calls per day in recent years, though the report does not specify which bridge. Portland's river bridges had as many as 13 suspected suicide deaths in one recent year and 11 in the year before that, the outlet reported.
St. Johns Bridge Project Stalled Over Cost
The Oregon Department of Transportation previously examined suicide-prevention barriers on the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland, with the project estimated to cost between $15 million and $80 million. The agency ultimately said that estimated cost, along with other issues, made the project unfeasible, the outlet's report states.
State Sen. Lisa Reynolds, a Portland Democrat whose district includes the St. Johns Bridge, said ODOT should seriously examine measures for the span. Reynolds said state officials need a plan to protect people and that she wants to meet with state leaders to address bridge suicide prevention, according to the report.
Senate Committee Chair Calls for Hearing
State Sen. Chris Gorsek, a Democrat from Gresham who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, has called a committee hearing about installing barriers on bridges where people die by suicide. Gorsek said barriers could help prevent suicides and save lives, and that the hearing would allow lawmakers to learn from experts and work toward solutions, the outlet reported.
Suicide prevention research has shown that physical barriers are highly effective at preventing deaths by suicide from high places, according to the report. The Federal Highway Administration's Zero Deaths vision holds that even one death on the transportation system is unacceptable and focuses on safe mobility for all road users, the agency states on its website.
Where the Proposal Stands
Lines for Life operates Oregon's suicide prevention crisis line, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline remains available for anyone in crisis. Whether Evans's proposed grant program or new-bridge requirement will be formally introduced, funded, or scheduled for a vote has not yet been determined, leaving Portland's uncovered river crossings and the fate of any statewide barrier mandate an open question for lawmakers to sort out in the months ahead.
