My solution to the "Bridge" dilemma!

[FireBrand]

just put up fences like they have on other parts of the bridge...cheap and easy

No more fences please !
The fenced portions on the TJ Bridge only cover the areas that cross over land
so that trash, etc cannot be thrown onto private property.
Have you seen how rusted and nasty that fence looks.
Please don't screw up the view with more rusty fence !

Let the jumpers jump, jump jumpers jump.
See Johnny jump, jump Johnny jump.......

If Johnny don't jump, He'll find some other dramatic way out !

 

[Wenchy]

No more fences please !
The fenced portions on the TJ Bridge only cover the areas that cross over land
so that trash, etc cannot be thrown onto private property.
Have you seen how rusted and nasty that fence looks.
Please don't screw up the view with more rusty fence !

Let the jumpers jump, jump jumpers jump.
See Johnny jump, jump Johnny jump.......

If Johnny don't jump, He'll find some other dramatic way out !

If Johnny just OD's, or blows his brains out, it would be less of our tax money searching for him AND traffic would not be impeded.

 

[JustTodd]

So when do you think we'll see the first base jumper off the bridge?

 

[princess73]

That article was kinda amusing. Some woman from the suicide prevention team recommended phones and safety nets be put on the bridge. Traffic will really be great when a jumper sits on the wall and calls home before jumping. And I have no idea what the safety nets are supposed to do.

 

[Larry Gude]

Guffaw...

This might be a strange concept, but you could always look where you're going.

...now there's an idea that has merit.


The KEY to driving over bridges or in tight spaces on the Jersey Turnpike is focusing on the driving. Keep your eyes moving, no staring, just like you're always supposed to do. The only thing I don't like about driving over bridges is I never get to enjoy the view; I'm driving.

 

[Larry Gude]

Ps...

...did anyone mention a tunnel? People hate driving in them too and it will give the jumpers who don't like the weather, or quite get the concept, something to do.

 

[vraiblonde]

I drive across the bridge just fine and I've never felt the urge to jump from it. I don't see what the problem is. :shrug:

 

[desertrat]

Just curious, but do you fear running off the road and into the ditch when you're not on a bridge? Just wondering what the difference is.

Here's the difference. It's called fearsome exposure in rockclimbing. Try walking along a 6" wide brick wall about a foot off the ground or the edge of a curb. No problem right? Now try that over a chasm say the depth of the grand canyon. You know you can do it but unless you control your fear you won't.

 

[aps45819]

Here's the difference. It's called fearsome exposure in rockclimbing. Try walking along a 6" wide brick wall about a foot off the ground or the edge of a curb. No problem right? Now try that over a chasm say the depth of the grand canyon. You know you can do it but unless you control your fear you won't.

I used to do antenna work on Navy ships and have tried many times to explain to folks that walking on the yard arm 300' in the air was no different than walking on that 6" curb (except for the 40 lbs of safety crap they made me wear on the yard arm)
The ONLY difference is fear

 

[desertrat]

I used to do antenna work on Navy ships and have tried many times to explain to folks that walking on the yard arm 300' in the air was no different than walking on that 6" curb (except for the 40 lbs of safety crap they made me wear on the yard arm)
The ONLY difference is fear

And the consequences if you do slip.

 

[aps45819]

And the consequences if you do slip.

well there is that
They insisted I hook up safety lines while working aloft. Worst that would happen is that I'd get a killer wedgie and hang from a rope/harness till they could pull me back up.
The ladders going up the mast have a track up the middle that you're supposed to hook this braking device to. It's supposed to move up freely and lock when coming down. It was about 15 lbs of brass that hooked to the waist and then hung down about 6". Affectionally know as the "ball buster"
Climbing back down was a real PITA. You had to maintain an upward pull on the brake while moving it down the track.

 

[SamSpade]

I have to admit, going UNDER the Johnson bridge was an eye opener. It makes me nervous to think what's holding me up.

It's not uncommon in this area for bridges to be built with limited capacity and lifespan - and for usage to exceed it by a LOT. I knew a woman who was a diver for the crews building the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge - and she told me years ago if I'd seen what she'd seen, I'd never go over that bridge again (thankfully, THAT bridge is gone).

Admittedly, the bridge is somewhat scary, although after years I've totally gotten used to it. I'm still nervous as hell on some bridges, such as the Bay Bridge (which is weird, because I've WALKED across it several times) and the Del Memorial Bridge, but it's not a good reason to re-build it. I do think however that the Johnson bridge ought to be wider to accommodate four lanes of traffic - or at LEAST have a shoulder for emergency vehicles. It's unbelievable during emergencies trying to shift around to let ambulances past. When a car breaks down on the bridge, good luck getting a tow truck in there.

I just don't seen a good reason why Rte 4 should be squeezed down to two lanes until 235.

 

[desertrat]

I have to admit, going UNDER the Johnson bridge was an eye opener. It makes me nervous to think what's holding me up.

It's not uncommon in this area for bridges to be built with limited capacity and lifespan - and for usage to exceed it by a LOT. I knew a woman who was a diver for the crews building the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge - and she told me years ago if I'd seen what she'd seen, I'd never go over that bridge again (thankfully, THAT bridge is gone).

Admittedly, the bridge is somewhat scary, although after years I've totally gotten used to it. I'm still nervous as hell on some bridges, such as the Bay Bridge (which is weird, because I've WALKED across it several times) and the Del Memorial Bridge, but it's not a good reason to re-build it. I do think however that the Johnson bridge ought to be wider to accommodate four lanes of traffic - or at LEAST have a shoulder for emergency vehicles. It's unbelievable during emergencies trying to shift around to let ambulances past. When a car breaks down on the bridge, good luck getting a tow truck in there.

I just don't seen a good reason why Rte 4 should be squeezed down to two lanes until 235.

I think a good business would be a tow helo.
I've been under that bridge a few times too and seeing the chunks of concrete on the pilings does give you something to think about. Especially since most don't hit the pilings and if they do they most likely bounce off into the water.

 

[aps45819]

I just don't see a good reason why Rte 4 should be squeezed down to two lanes until 235.

When the bridge was built, the roads on both ends were 2 lanes.

 

[Dougstermd]

I just don't seen a good reason why Rte 4 should be squeezed down to two lanes until 235.

look at the time frame that the bridge was budgeted in. Compare traffic pattarens then and now. We have just out grown the TJ bridge:shrug:

 

[aps45819]

I think a good business would be a tow helo.

How about a Retriever? Might pay for itself just on 235 and the bridge

Discovery Channel clip

 

[bohman]

I've tried that! Works great, except for the part where the panic attack ensues.

This is starting to sound like personal issues, instead of architectural issues. Would your insurance cover a little therapy for the height phobia?

 

[Dougstermd]

How about a Retriever? Might pay for itself just on 235 and the bridge

Discovery Channel clip

that looks awsome I am ready to go buy one

 

[itsbob]

That "Navy Base with a Dock" is the recreation facility...not much use for battleships there!

Funny. the boats tied up there don't look very recreational to me.. unless you consider target towing recreational.

I thought there was a location up (Patuxent) river they thought would be suitable to store ships, battle ships and maybe even a smaller carrier. And in case of need they had to put a bridge inplace where they could get upriver.

With the size of the sailboats that go in and out of the Patuxent, and the tempo it would be silly to even contemplate a draw bridge. Can you imagine 4:00 in the summer, commuters trying to get home, and the sail boats trying to get downriver for the start of Wednesday Night racing??

I kind of like the idea of having a safe place for the "jumpers" to go. Maybe when they think of killing themselves they won't pick up a gun and take their wife and three kids with them, or puropsefully cross thecenter line of traffic and take me with them. They'll just take a long walk across a narrow bridge.

 

[desertrat]

Funny. the boats tied up there don't look very recreational to me.. unless you consider target towing recreational.

I thought there was a location up (Patuxent) river they thought would be suitable to store ships, battle ships and maybe even a smaller carrier. And in case of need they had to put a bridge inplace where they could get upriver.

With the size of the sailboats that go in and out of the Patuxent, and the tempo it would be silly to even contemplate a draw bridge. Can you imagine 4:00 in the summer, commuters trying to get home, and the sail boats trying to get downriver for the start of Wednesday Night racing??

I kind of like the idea of having a safe place for the "jumpers" to go. Maybe when they think of killing themselves they won't pick up a gun and take their wife and three kids with them, or puropsefully cross thecenter line of traffic and take me with them. They'll just take a long walk across a narrow bridge.

My guess is that the number of people that take their own lives by jumping off a bridge is so small compared to other methods as to be a drop in the bucket. Why bother cutting off one method when there are so many alternatives. Just to keep the a bridge from being tied up twice a year for a few hours? Spend your time and money somewhere else.