Should Major Bridges in Portsmouth & Kittery Install “Suicide Nets?” Community Speaks Out

According to a Portsmouth, NH, Facebook post, a minor died by suicide this week after jumping off the Piscataqua River Bridge.

As news of this tragic story is circulating the Seacoast, anger and suggestions from the community are coming out.

The vast majority of those commenting on the devastating story on social media are asking the towns/states for the installation of "suicide nets."

What is a suicide net?

Suicide nets are like safety nets. The kind that you would see under you while doing a ropes course or beginning a zipline.

The intent is to safely catch anyone who jumps off the bridge.

Suicide Nets in San Fransisco:

Suicide nets were installed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran beginning in 2018 (finishing just last year).

According to a Golden Gate Bridge article, the entire project cost $224 million. An expensive project...but it is working.

Over the last 20 years, there were an average of 30 deaths by suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. Last year, the first year of the nets being fully installed, the number plummeted by 73% (only 8 suicides).

Still devastating - but an improvement.

How Much Money Would it Cost to Install Suicide Nets on the Piscataqua River Bridge?

This is not a question for me; however, it would be a fraction of the Golden Gate Bridge cost.

The Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles long (8,981 feet). In comparison, the Piscataqua River Bridge is 4,503 feet. So, a very rough estimate would put that at about half the cost of the nets installed in San Fran.

A $112 million project is jarring, but if it could save the lives of teens in our area, would it be worth it?

This is the third suicide by bridges in less than two weeks.

My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of this minor.