ADOT has announced it will meet with officials from the city of Sedona to modify Midgley Bridge to prevent people from jumping off it. Last we reported on this, the City of Sedona was pleading with ADOT to help. The bridge is literally just outside of Sedona city limits.
2015 saw four suicides from the span, a massive increase from previous years. Several previous years had seen zero jumpers.
| 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1 (800) 273-8255 | suicidepreventionlifeline.org Languages: English, Spanish |
In response, ADOT released this statement:
"As part of our commitment to developing and maintaining a safe transportation system for everyone, ADOT continues collaborating with the community to address suicides at Midgley Bridge. ADOT is working closely with city officials and other Sedona-area stakeholders on preventing the loss of life at this bridge, located on State Route 89A.
"This collaboration has already led to a plan to incorporate additional suicide-prevention signs at the bridge, and together we continue looking for other possible responses. Recently, ADOT representatives and city officials had preliminary discussions about potential changes to Midgley Bridge that, among other options, include the possibility of adding fencing. While fencing acts as an additional barrier and a possible deterrent, suicide prevention is a more complex issue requiring a broad response.
"A final decision on fencing or any other change to the bridge will be developed in collaboration not just with city but with the U.S. Forest Service and the State Historic Preservation Office because of the bridge’s location and historic status. The structural limitations of the bridge must be assessed, along with the cost of any proposed changes."
A meeting between the city and ADOT will take place in late May.