U of M installs temporary fence on Washington Ave. bridge to help prevent suicides

Washington Avenue Bridge (U of M)

MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota installed temporary fencing along the upper level of the Washington Avenue Bridge to reduce suicide attempts.

Erich Mische of SAVE (Suicidal Voices of Education) says the location has been a challenge for decades, and this is the first time in 50 years that there has been a constructive approach to address the challenge.

About 20,000 pedestrians and 7,000 bicyclists cross the bridge’s upper level daily.

Hennepin County owns the bridge.