A rendering of the barrier in the design stage of the Sedona bridge project.
Sedona AZ (December 1, 2016) – In partnership with Sedona, the U.S. Forest Service and Coconino County, the Arizona Department of Transportation will add protective fencing over the next few weeks to Midgley Bridge along State Route 89A.
The city of Sedona sought ADOT’s help after four people committed suicide from the bridge in 2015. After working with a nonprofit organization to add signs carrying the number of a suicide prevention hotline, ADOT worked with area partners to design fencing for the bridge, located a mile and a half north of Sedona.
“We are responding to the community’s concerns and acting in the interest of public safety,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Fencing can complement a broader community response by acting as an additional barrier and possible deterrent.”
Work to install fencing will involve overnight lane closures and alternating traffic over the bridge, located at milepost 376. The restriction will be in place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Fridays beginning Monday, Dec. 5, and ending Friday, Dec. 23. If necessary, work will resume on Monday, Dec. 26, and continue until complete.
The 10-feet-high fencing, which will be chainlink style and attached to the bridge’s railings, is designed to be difficult to climb.
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
Thank you ADOT and others for this help. Suicide is not the answer. If you are thinking about suicide YOU NEED IMMEDIATE HELP. Call a family member, call a hospital, call a neighbor, call ANYONE AND EVERYONE until you get help. There are suicide prevention hotlines. Call. Talk. Talk and talk and talk. Ask for help. DO IT.
A little inconvenience to save a person in distress is worth every moment.
Ahhhh… gotta love the serenity of the Red Rocks!!!
Unfortunately a fence won’t change the core problem. Sedona has the highest suicide rate in state. There is a reason. Open your eyes and see what really is the problem. Until the problem is resolved we will still have suicides. They will figure out another way or place.