Portsmouth Health – April 9, 2026
By IAN LENAHAN
Wire net and rod fencing systems have been recommended for potential installation on the Piscataqua River Bridge to reduce future deaths by suicide off the Interstate 95 span.
Stantec, an engineering consultant, completed a suicide barrier feasibility study for the high-level structure connecting Maine and New Hampshire, one of three bridges between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine. Elected, safety and transportation officials from the two states called for the study following multiple deaths by suicide in spring 2025, including two from the Piscataqua River Bridge.
No decisions have been made on a deterrent system, as the two states are continuing their joint review. The project is being led by Maine and New Hampshire’s respective departments of transportation.
“Subsequent phases of the project will refine the selected alternatives through detailed analysis, wind load testing, and full construction documentation, ensuring a solution that enhances safety, preserves aesthetics, and maintains the long-term integrity and operational classification of this critical transportation link between New Hampshire and Maine,” Stantec wrote in its mid-March report. “Phase 2 will determine if the evaluated alternatives are feasible without major structural upgrades or reduction in service life. Timeline assumes construction sequence and funding have been identified.”
Wire net and rod fencing designs were considered by Stantec, along with four other vertical barrier systems.
“For the 1-95 High-Level Bridge, vertical deterrent systems will be evaluated for several key factors including but not limited to performance in a coastal, high-wind environment, with considerations for snow removal, inspection accessibility, and integration with the existing through-truss structure,” Stantec wrote.
Vertical wire net fencing was installed on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, while Samuel De-Champlain Bridge in Montreal has a vertical rod fence system.
Bridge project could cost $3 million to $5 million
New Hampshire Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, reported the installation of a suicide deterrent fencing system is currently projected to cost between $3 million to $5 million.
Stevens is searching for federal funding sources to support the potential installation effort. The District 3 councilor reported more than 12,000 hours of total detailed engineering analysis will be required before a barrier is built.
“Most importantly, these two systems stood out because they are most effective in deterring access and potential incidents (and) suicides on the 1-95 Bridge, while supporting emergency access,” Stevens said in an April 6 statement. “Secondly, given the age and structural complexity of this bridge, wind, weight loading and structural compatibility must be factored in. The good news is that properly designed open mesh (or) rail systems, such as these systems, can minimize aerodynamic impacts. At the same time, materials matter – stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant systems are preferred for durability. And just as important, any barrier must remain fully compatible with standard bridge inspection practices, including the use of snooper trucks and routine access equipment. These two systems meet the criteria and again rose to the top.”
For years, mental health crises have plagued the Piscataqua River Bridge, some of which have resulted in victims dying by suicide. Rescuers and negotiators race to the bridge and to the river, with local police and fire rescue crews from Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine, New Hampshire and Maine State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard among the usual responders.
Last year, in a two-week span between late April and May, police launched three investigations into mental health crises that occurred at the Piscataqua River Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. The two people who jumped from the Piscataqua River Bridge – Eli Robinson, brother of local National Basketball Association player Duncan Robinson, and a teenager from Sanford, Maine – were later found deceased.
How effective are bridge barriers?
Stantec cited a Switzerland-based study noting full-height barriers standing 10 to 11 feet above a bridge’s deck can reduce deaths by suicide at high-risk locations by over 80%.
Several factors were considered by Stantec in its study, including how different fences or barriers would respond to ice load and snow removal, their effectiveness in preventing people from climbing onto the bridge’s ledge, inspection access and future maintenance.
The firm warned a fencing barrier system could limit access to the shoulder lanes, impacting traffic, snow plowing operations, emergency responses and biennial inspections of the bridge.
“The proposed fence installation needs to be carefully planned to minimize impacts on the traffic control plan and reduce associated disruptions to the traveling public. Overall, these combined factors introduce significant challenges for maintaining inspection access, ensuring safe maintenance practices, and preserving the structural performance and operational reliability of the 1-95 High-Level Bridge,” Stantec’s report states. “All these factors shall be taken into consideration to ensure minimum impact to bridge service life and its operations over (the) next 50+ years.”
What’s next in process for 1-95 bridge
Jennifer Lane, spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, said the second phase of the project will be a detailed structural analysis of the bridge fence design options identified by Stantec.
“NH DOT recognizes the seriousness of this issue and is committed to carefully evaluating all options. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available by calling or texting 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline,” Lane said in a statement.
In the aftermath of last year’s suicides, national crisis lifeline signage was installed on the Piscataqua River Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge.
Stantec’s report states crisis signage and other non-structural deterrents, such as emergency phones or enhanced lighting, could be added to reduce the risk of suicide on the bridge.
“While these measures can improve awareness and detection, they do not provide physical restraint and are therefore considered supplementary to structural fencing systems,” the report says. “They may, however, be integrated into the final design for redundancy and enhanced safety monitoring.”
The Piscataqua River Bridge carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily across six northbound and southbound lanes.