TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- State officials hope new crisis-intervention signs will deter some people from jumping off Victory Bridge in central New Jersey.
The span connecting Perth Amboy and Sayreville has been a draw for people attempting suicide.
Officials began looking into ways to deter suicide attempts after two people jumped off the Route 35 bridge in July and a third attempted to do so. Four more jumped between July and September, and a fifth was pulled from the edge of the bridge.
The signs, listing a hot line number for mental health services, are being installed at 100-foot intervals on both sides of the span.
Transportation spokeswoman Erin Phalon said officials looked in to installing fencing over bridge railings but abandoned the idea because of the cost. She said the signs cost $1,080.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski said the signs provide a practical, cost-effective way to deter suicides. Victory Bridge, which rises 150 feet above the water line, is in the Middlesex Democrat's legislative district.
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