Akron will use stimulus funds to fence off ‘suicide’ bridge

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio city plans to use federal stimulus money to install fencing on a bridge to keep people from jumping to their deaths.

One person has already committed suicide this year from Akron’s All-America Bridge, known more commonly as the “Y-Bridge.” Two did last year.

A father of a suicide victim is praising the decision to add the fence, at a cost of up to $1.5 million. Robert Conley says it might have stopped his son Kevin from killing himself by jumping in 2006.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic notes that the government now requires new bridges to have fencing.

Akron is receiving a total of $21 million for road and bridge projects from the federal program intended to create jobs and stimulate the economy.