EDITORS NOTE: We must warn you this story includes descriptions of suicide.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, resources are available to help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ or call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by dialing 2-1-1.
MANATEE COUNTY – Known as the gateway to the Tampa Bay Area – the Skyway Bridge is recognized for its scenic drive over the bay garnering national attention.
313 suicides, 44 survivors, and 357 jumpers. That’s the dark past that comes with the iconic Tampa Bay landmark – The Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
But FDOT’s new project is determined to prevent those statistics from climbing.
“This is a very important project to finally become into fruitions,” said Kris Carson FDOT, Public Information Officer
A possible life saving project. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge Vertical Net Installation project aims to deter people battling with thoughts of suicide from taking their lives by jumping from the bridge.
The Skyway is ranked as the fourth deadliest bridge in the U.S. with more than
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Eddie Regnier says state records indicate 14 to 15 people on average commit suicide on the Skyway because its accessibility.
“Just remember suicide truly is an impulsive act,” said Dr. Regnier. “If the person waited a minute or two minutes later, they would’ve changed their mind. So taking away a quick access is a wonderful thing.”
The $3.4 million project to install the netting was postponed last June due to the pandemic causing a shortage of supplies needed.
But in late January workers began the process of installing the stainless-steel netting. Covering just over 3 miles on both sides of the bridge, spanning to a point where the bridge is roughly 50 ft. above the water.
“We don’t shy away from the word suicide we don’t shy away from people who have those feelings,” said Mordecai Dixon.
Dixon, the Director of Gateway Services with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, says in the last year they received 338 calls from potential jumpers on top of the Skyway.
Those calls coming from the six crisis hotline call boxes installed along the bridge.
Dixon says though the vertical net will physically deter someone from jumping, it’s listening to their stories when they find the courage to ask for help.
“The challenge is not the netting or its ineffectiveness with all due respect,” said Dixon. “It’s really how do I make sure that person gets the prevention services before they even contemplate driving to that bridge in the first place.”
FDOT’s net installation project is one of the many efforts on the Suncoast to prevent anymore bodies in this water. The agency is expecting the nets to be fully installed later this summer.
