Fence aims to curb George Washington Bridge jumps

FORT LEE (AP) — The George Washington Bridge spanning New York and New Jersey is getting a fence to help curb suicides as the number of deaths there approaches record levels.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says there have been 13 suicides and 40 rescues on the span so far this year. There were 16 deaths for all of 2013.

Plans call for erecting a 9-foot fence to replace the current railing to make jumping from the bridge difficult.

Chief structural engineer Bernie Yostpile tells The Record that the project will cost $37 million to $47 million and will be completed in 2022.

Until then, the Port Authority has increased patrols, improved lighting and installed security cameras.

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