HIGHLAND – “The New York State Bridge Authority has long been committed to the issue of mental health awareness, starting with the first suicide prevention phones installed on the Mid-Hudson Bridge in 1984, the first bridge in the nation to do this,” according to a statement from the agency spokesman Christopher Steber. “Since then, NYSBA has expanded this helpline phone system to all bridges, provided on-going comprehensive training to our security staff, and installed state-of-the-art, 24/7 security monitoring systems at our bridges.”
The bridge authority was responding to a number of area state lawmakers, who on Thursday urged the agency to install climb deterrent fencing on all five of its bridges across the Hudson River.
“We are also convening a nation-leading summit later this month focused on improving mental health outcomes and addressing mental health emergencies in public spaces, including our bridges,” Steber said. “NYSBA is committed to protecting all our customers and working hand-in-glove with our state partners and local first responders to keep New Yorkers safe.”
The bridge authority has been researching the possibilities of physical deterrent fencing and according to an engineering study in 2022, retrofitting the entire bridge system would cost between $10 million for a chain link fencing to $85 million for picket-style fencing.
The largest capital expense in the bridge authority’s history was the recent $95 million project to replace the deck on the north span of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge necessitating a toll increase of more than 30 percent as the agency receives no state or federal funding. Revenues are derived almost exclusively through tolls.
The New York State Bridge Authority operates the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle bridges as well as maintains the Walkway Over the Hudson.
