Sedona AZ (June 28, 2016) – The city of Sedona invites the community to an information session regarding the design of a proposed suicide prevention barrier for Midgley Bridge on Thursday, July 7, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at Sedona’s City Hall at 102 Roadrunner Dr.
As a result of Midgley Bridge being the site of four suicides in three months in 2015, and since it is just outside of city limits on Highway 89A, Mayor of Sedona Sandy Moriarty urged a partnership between the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the city of Sedona to place a suicide prevention barrier on Midgley Bridge in order to prevent further loss of life. Previous community efforts to prevent suicides at the bridge include posting signs with a local suicide hotline, along with community awareness and outreach.
“We are concerned that despite local community efforts, there will continue to be loss of life. Not only are these incidents tragic, but the profound effects on our community and our emergency providers who respond to these events cannot be measured,” said Moriarty.
Midgley Bridge is owned by the State of Arizona under the jurisdiction of ADOT and is located on U.S. Forest Service land in Coconino County. The bridge also is prominently displayed as part of the city’s logo. “Therefore it’s critical that we work together to identify and implement mitigation strategies such as a suicide prevention barrier,” said Moriarty.
“While we’re limited on how the barrier will look due to the engineering limitations of Midgley Bridge and the fact that it is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, which makes the barrier design further restricted by federal design standards, we are pleased all jurisdictions involved in this project are working together to provide a solution to this unfortunate issue,” said Audree Juhlin, city of Sedona community development director.
ADOT released the following rendering of the proposed barrier, which will be discussed in detail at the information session:
For more information, please contact Juhlin at AJuhlin@SedonaAZ.gov or 928-204-7107.