Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr., a Warwick Democrat, has introduced legislation that would require safety barriers or netting on the three tallest bridges in the state.

The bill (2020-H 7366) would direct the R.I. Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, to erect the barriers on the Mt. Hope Bridge, the Claiborne Pell Bridge, and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge by Jan. 1, 2022.

“Too many people have committed suicide on those bridges in the last decade,” said Rep. Solomon. “Due to technological advances, there are various types of barriers and netting available to increase safety without hindering access for routine inspection and maintenance of the bridges.”

“It’s snowballing. We’re really getting traction,” said Brian Ganley of Bristol, a longtime volunteer with the Samaritans who co-founded Bridging the Gap for Safety and Healing with Melissa Cotta, a Tiverton resident and crisis intervention professional who witnessed a suicide from the Mt. Hope Bridge four years ago. Through their organization, they have been spearheading the effort to have suicide prevention barriers placed on the bridges.

They recently addressed a meeting of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to further their cause, accompanied by Portsmouth resident Mike Mello, who powerfully recounted an incident at the end of 2019 when he helped restrain a young woman who was attempting to jump from the Mt. Hope Bridge.

Mr. Mello, a veteran, became emotional as he described holding on to the bridge cable while holding the arm of a young woman who had swung her legs over the edge and was struggling to be allowed to jump.

Mr. Ganley said that Rep. Solomon reached out to him after reading an article about his and Ms. Cotta’s outreach efforts.

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has suicide prevention measures in places, including a smart surveillance system allowing authorities to act quickly, but virtually no way to deter a determined jumper. The Rhode Island Samaritans also have signs posted at the bridge entrances with information for those contemplating suicide.

“It’s not only a serious problem, but an alarmingly frequent one,” said Rep. Solomon. “Last year alone, the Portsmouth Police responded to the Mt. Hope Bridge 36 times. And the cost of suicide goes far beyond the individual. It affects friends, families, first responders and health care professionals. Those who survive the fall all say the same thing — they feel instant regret the moment their feet leave the railing.”

Mr. Ganley and Ms. Cotta were happy and gratified to see some results from their efforts following the Thursday, Jan. 30, announcement of Rep. Solomon’s legislation.

“I’m ecstatic and grateful! This legislation is so important,” said Ms. Cotta. “It’s going to save lives. I’m so happy this issue is getting the attention it deserves and steps are being taken to make these bridges safe. I want to give special thanks to Joe Solomon and his co-sponsors for introducing this act, and I urge other legislators to support it.”

If the legislation passes, Rhode Island would join other states such as New York, California and Florida who are moving forward with similar safety barrier plans.

The legislation, which is cosponsored by Rep. Susan Donovan (D-69), Robert E. Craven (D-32), Lauren H. Carson (D-75) and Marvin L. Abney (D-73), has been referred to the House Corporations Committee. Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-12) plans to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.

“There are many situations with suicide that we can’t prevent, but barriers represent a positive action that we can take to prevent these senseless tragedies that not only impact the individual but also families, friends, and the entire community,” said Mr. Ganley. “We look forward to working with legislative sponsors to make barriers on bridges a reality.”