Colorado Street Bridge Suicide Mitigation Enhancements Project - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Department of Public Works

Colorado Street Bridge – Suicide Mitigation Enhancements Project

Historic Preservation Commission November 19, 2019

Department of Public Works

Project Background

• Concept of installing a suicide deterrent

system on the Colorado Street Bridge has been explored at various intervals

• ver the last several decades
• In recent years, number of suicides off

the bridge have dramatically increased

• June 2017 – Temporary 10-foot tall

fencing installed around the bench alcoves

• September 2018 – Temporary fencing

extended along entire length and on both sides of the bridge

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Department of Public Works

Project Background (cont’d)

• Fall 2017 - Colorado Street Bridge Task

Force formed, assessing various permanent deterrent measures based on stakeholder and community input

• On April 23, 2018, the City Council

unanimously approved the Task Force recommendation to deter suicide attempts on the Colorado Street Bridge through the implementation of a vertical barrier system; and, directed staff to further study and return to Council with a proposed project and appropriate environmental review.

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Department of Public Works

Project Goal

• To seek a responsibly designed permanent

barrier as an effective deterrent, while preserving the bridge’s national historic character and significance

• To allow the community to experience and enjoy

the Colorado Street Bridge, as well as the Arroyo as a safe and beautiful environment.

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Department of Public Works

Project Scope

On May 20, 2019, City Council authorized City Manager to enter into a contract with Donald MacDonald Architects for environmental and design services, including:

• Preliminary engineering and development of alternative

designs for a vertical barrier

• Preparation of project-level environmental reports
• Conceptual design development of a preferred vertical

barrier

• Construction plans and specifications to be prepared after

a conceptual design is approved by City Council

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Department of Public Works

Project Site

6 Proposed Project Location

Department of Public Works

Task Force Recommendations

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Design and Install:

• Full Length Vertical Barriers
• Minimum height above highest toehold of 7’-6”
• Extend both sides of the bridge for its entire length
• End Treatments
• Deter a person’s ability to walk the outside ledge to a location

where a jump would cause serious injury or death

• Complimentary Measures
• Work in concert with the measures above to mitigate suicides and

suicide attempts from the bridge to the greatest extent possible

Department of Public Works

Community Kick-Off Meeting

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• September 26, 2019
• Goals:
• Present the project scope and schedule for the design of a vertical

barrier system

• Solicit comments and public input on potential mitigation

alternatives

Department of Public Works

Second Community Meeting

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• October 29, 2019
• Goals:
• Summarize the community’s comments and ideas from the

September 26, 2019 community meeting

• Present guiding principals and concepts for the design of a vertical

barrier

• Solicit community’s feedback on presented design concepts

Department of Public Works

Guiding Principals of Design

Department of Public Works

Guiding Principal - Effectiveness

Department of Public Works

Guiding Principal - Effectiveness

Department of Public Works

Guiding Principal - Effectiveness

Department of Public Works

Guiding Principal – Historic and Character Defining Features

Department of Public Works

Guiding Principal – Bridge Aesthetics

Department of Public Works

Concept Study

Department of Public Works

Concept Study

Department of Public Works

Concept Study

Department of Public Works

Concept Study

Department of Public Works

Bridge End Treatment

Department of Public Works

Bridge End Treatment

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Mesh

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A2Open

Vertical Frame

Flexible Mesh

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Mesh Ver 2

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Intermediate Supports

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Mesh

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A2Open

Vertical Frame

Flexible Mesh

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Mesh

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A2Open

Vertical Frame

Flexible Mesh

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Mesh

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Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Pickets

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A2Open

Rods/Pickets

Department of Public Works

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A2Open

Rods/Pickets

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Pickets

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Pickets

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A2Open

Rods/Pickets

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment A2 Pickets

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Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment B2 Mesh

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B2Open

Curved Frame w/ Intermediate Post

Rigid Mesh

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment B2 Mesh

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B2Open

Curved Frame w/ Intermediate Post

Rigid Mesh

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment B2 Mesh

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B2Open

Curved Frame w/ Intermediate Post

Rigid Mesh

Department of Public Works

Secretary of Interior Standards – Assessment B2 Mesh

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Department of Public Works

Department of Public Works

Comparative Heights of the Options

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Department of Public Works

Top of Barrier and Lights

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Department of Public Works

Comparative Table

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Department of Public Works

Community Consensus

• Keep all alcoves open
• Position the barrier on top of the existing

balustrade

• Position the barrier on the bridge side of the lamp

poles to increase effectiveness

• Keep the existing lamps but modify the height to

maintain visibility on the bridge

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Department of Public Works

Pros and Cons

• A2 – flex-mesh - effective, fewer vertical posts better,

contingent on finding an acceptable flexible mesh pattern that prevents toe holds but doesn’t look institutional, and maximizes transparency.

• A2 – rigid-mesh - effective, additional vertical posts less

appealing, contingent on finding an acceptable rigid mesh pattern that prevents toe holds but doesn’t look institutional, and maximizes transparency, fewer vertical posts at alcoves a positive.

• A2 – rods - less effective because of introduction of horizontal

toe holds, more traditional look appealing to some, vertical rods present limited transparency looking down the bridge.

• B2 – mesh – most effective, decorative look appealing to some,

contingent on finding an acceptable flexible mesh pattern.

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Department of Public Works

Current Project Schedule

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• Historic Preservation Commission

November 19, 2019

• Design Commission

November 26, 2019

• Public Safety Committee

December 18, 2019

• City Council

Early 2020

• 100% Plans, Specs & Estimate

July 2020