Suicide Barrier Controversy
The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge has attracted media attention as a "hot-spot" for suicides. Among others, environmental activist Tooker Gomberg is believed to have committed suicide here.
In July 2007, suicide barriers were installed along 22% of the pedestrian lane at the bridge's western end (Halifax abutment) to prevent suicide attempts and protect navy personnel at HMC Dockyard which the bridge crosses over. On May 13, 2009 the general manager and CEO of the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, Steve Snider, announced that a tender for the long-called for extension of the barriers along the full length of the bridge would be issued in June 2009. As of March 2010 the remaining sections of the suicide barrier have been installed, so that the bridge now has suicide barriers along 100% of its pedestrian walkways.
Recent computer modeling has eliminated previous concerns that the bridge was not capable of handling the weight of the additional steel.
Read more about this topic: Angus L. Macdonald Bridge
Famous quotes containing the words suicide, barrier and/or controversy:
“Fame is no sanctuary from the passing of youth ... suicide is much easier and more acceptable in Hollywood than growing old gracefully.”
—Julie Burchill (b. 1960)
“Only men of moral and mental force, of a patriotic regard for the relationship of the two races, can be of real service as ministers in the South. Less theology and more of human brotherhood, less declamation and more common sense and love for truth, must be the qualifications of the new ministry that shall yet save the race from the evils of false teaching.”
—Fannie Barrier Williams (1855–1944)
“Ours was a highly activist administration, with a lot of controversy involved ... but I’m not sure that it would be inconsistent with my own political nature to do it differently if I had it to do all over again.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)