WSDOT Projects

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Looking southwest over the  Aurora Bridge, which is 2,945 feet long, 70 feet wide and 167 feet above Lake Union (about the height of a 15-story building).

Looking southeast over the Aurora Bridge, which links the Queen Anne and Fremont neighborhoods of Seattle.

Project Facts

• On average, someone attempts suicide by jumping from the Aurora Bridge every three months. In 2006, nine people jumped from the bridge to their deaths. This tied 1972 as the worst year on record for suicides from the bridge.
• A community non-profit, Seattle Friends, is working to eliminate suicides from the Aurora Bridge. 
• The Aurora Bridge was built in 1931 and is officially named the George Washington Memorial Bridge. The Aurora Bridge has been the site of more than 50 suicides since 1995.

WSDOT, the City of Seattle and King County are working to prevent people from committing suicide by jumping off of the Aurora Bridge on State Route 99 in Seattle, in the Fremont and Queen Anne neighborhoods.

A recent increase in the number of suicide attempts from the bridge and comments from people who live and work in the densely populated area compelled the City of Seattle, King County, WSDOT and community members to take action. In 2007 at least six people committed suicide by jumping from the bridge.

In 2008 WSDOT will begin the design of a suicide prevention barrier for the Aurora Bridge.

Why is WSDOT considering this project?
We’re concerned about people who suffer from mental distress, addiction and accompanying disorders that usually precede suicide attempts.  We're also concerned about their families and friends and that people jumping from the Aurora Bridge pose a risk to people beneath the bridge and emergency responders.

The aftermath of these suicides affects more people than just those who commit or attempt suicide and their families.  They significantly affect people who live and work below the bridge and at recovery sites where rescuers bring the bodies ashore. These people must experience the aftermath of suicides and suicide attempts. Emergency response staff also put themselves at risk attempting to rescue people in this hazardous waterway.

On average, someone jumps from the bridge every three months.

The End Result
While there’s no way to prevent every suicide attempt, local mental health experts have recommended that we install suicide deterrence signs accompanied by phones to connect people directly to a suicide hotline. The City of Seattle recently installed signs and phones on the Aurora Bridge.

In December 2007 WSDOT submitted a cost estimate and timeline for a potential project to add suicide prevention fencing to the outer railings of the bridge.  The Washington State Legislature approved  funding the project in the 2008 legislative session.  Project design will begin in late spring/early summer 2008 with construction starting as early as fall 2009. 

This project is a significant engineering and political challenge.

Project Benefits
Safety:  WSDOT, the City of Seattle and local health care professionals hope to help prevent people from committing suicide by jumping from the Aurora Bridge.  In addition, we will help protect those who live, work and play below the bridge.  These people are at risk of physical harm when someone jumps from the bridge and are often traumatized by experiencing the aftermath of suicide attempts. 

We also want to enhance safety for emergency responders, for example, those who must make emergency dives into the murky and debris-filled waters of the Ship Canal to attempt to save people who jump from the Aurora Bridge. 

What is the project timeline?

• December 18, 2006: Suicide prevention signs and phones were installed on the Aurora Bridge.
  
• 2007: develop and submit cost estimates for a suicide prevention fence for consideration in the 2008 session of the Washington State Legislature.
• 2008:  approval of project funding and start of project design.
• fall 2009:  Potential start of construction.

Public Involvement
We will work with communities on both sides of the bridge as we develop the project design.  WSDOT and City of Seattle staff are available to respond to questions and listen to ideas and concerns.

E-mail updates are available about this and other projects on State Route 99 and I-5 in Seattle and Shoreline. To receive updates on this topic, sign up for the "I-5 Seattle and Shoreline Projects" list.

To schedule a speaker to visit your neighborhood, business or other group, please contact Greg Phipps at 206-440-4702.

We will involve the community in decision-making and will comply with legal requirements for public involvement, including required public outreach and hearings.  

Environmental Protection
Environmental documentation was not required for the city to install suicide prevention signs and telephones on the bridge. 

Fencing, will likely require environmental research and documentation before they can be implemented.  

Built in 1931, the Aurora Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Fencing to prevent suicides from the Aurora Bridge would need to comply with federal and state historic preservation laws.

Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
People who live and work below the bridge and at recovery sites must witness the gruesome aftermath and also the risk of personal injury due to someone jumping from the bridge. First responders put themselves at considerable risk when attempting water rescues.  A safety barrier will reduce the likelihood of suicide by jumping from the bridge.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

To learn more about the tribal consultation process please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).

Financial Information

This project is funded through the following fund sources:

• Existing funds - $7.5 milliion
• Total funding available from all sources - $7.5 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Greg Phipps 
WSDOT Communications
15700 Dayton Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98133-5910
Phone: 206-440-4702

City of Seattle Dept. of Transportation
Phone: 206-684-8540

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