Aurora Bridge suicide fence construction to begin April 19
The 2010 legislature adjourned this morning at 1 a.m. I’ll have a post-session debrief and analysis coming later but in the meantime wanted to remind folks of this state Department of Transportation announcement about loud, late-night construction on the Aurora Bridge.
Queen Anne and Fremont folks can expect a few extra night time noises for the next month as the DOT begins work on the Aurora Bridge building a fence to prevent suicides.
Beginning next Monday, April 19, crews will be working from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., resulting in lane closures and extra noise from power tools.
See the full WSDOT official advisory below, and plan accordingly.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and Massana Construction of Georgia begin work on the Aurora Avenue Bridge fence over Lake Union on Monday, April 19. When complete, drivers and local residents will see a fence along the outer railing designed to discourage falls and jumps from the landmark structure.
We want to let you know about a month of noisy night work that begins Monday, April 19 and will affect residents of Fremont , north Queen Anne and Eastlake. Crews will be on the bridge between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday night between April 19 and May 10 to install wooden supports under the bridge.
This work requires the use of generators, drills, and saws and it will be noisier than usual and different from traffic noise. We are taking steps to reduce the inevitable noise including the use of noise shields around equipment, noise blankets to deaden noise where we can, and noise-reducing back-up alarms on trucks. We are also handing out industrial strength earplugs free of charge to local residents. Please call 206.267.6019 to request a pair.
We have a 24-hour noise hotline. Call our inspector on duty at 206.390.5697.
The good news? It lasts a month. The bad news? It lasts a month. We have to work at night during this phase because we have to close two lanes of traffic. Two lanes during the day on that bridge would create a traffic mess. But after this we will work during the day and take only one lane. We appreciate your patience.
If you’d like to know more about this project, go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr99/aurorabridgefence/
If you have any questions, please call Jamie at WSDOT at 206.440.4698
Your partner in service,
Reuven.
I think this fence is a huge waste of money.
While suicide is tragic, a fence will not prevent suicide. It will simply prevent suicide from the Aurora Bridge. There are other bridges and other means for a way out for those who have lost hope. I think if the fence on the bridge costs the citizens $60,000, that money would be better spent in local counseling services which have been tremendously cut over the past couple years.
A mis-prioritization.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for your comment. Actually the cost will end up being north of $6 million. I share your opinion on this. While I appreciate the view of those who believe this will prevent suicides, I personally do not share that view.
Best, Reuven.
$6 Mil – That could fund a lot of counseling and prevention service.
WOW.