Downtown Vancouver Updates - Page 725

mcminsen · #**14481** Posted **Dec 20, 2016, 9:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Sept.11 '16, my pics

Burrard Bridge update, three months later. The suicide bars have been installed on the west side of the south end of the bridge.

Dec.19 '16, my pics

mcminsen · #**14482** Posted **Dec 20, 2016, 9:04 AM**

Dec.19 '16, my pics

Prometheus · #**14483** Posted **Dec 20, 2016, 12:20 PM**

Thank you for the update.

Obviously, the city was afraid to go all-in on a proper suicide fence, which would have completely vitiated the view and inflicted an unsightly indignity on a classic urban bridge. (My guess is that we have Robertson's fear of the bike lobby to thank for this lip service to suicide prevention.) Other than small children and the physically infirm, it does not appear this fence could prevent anyone determined to jump over the side, and I am confident the suicide rate will remain steady over the medium term.

Still sucks, though, relative to a completely unimpeded view, as had existed for almost 80 years.

osirisboy · #**14484** Posted **Dec 20, 2016, 3:16 PM**

The fence is fine and it will stop suicides from happening. You don't need a fence that is physically impossible to climb over you just need something that will be a barrier. I actually think it's turned out pretty nice

Although, I was hoping that the street lights would be more historical looking.

csbvan · #**14485** Posted **Dec 20, 2016, 4:16 PM**

The fence turned out better than expected. It actually fits the look of the bridge extremely well.

WarrenC12 · #**14486** Posted **Dec 20, 2016, 4:50 PM**

Yes, the all powerful bike lobby. Right up there with the illuminatti and the Bilderberg group.

I think the fence turned out great. And don't underestimate the difficulty of getting over the top of it.

officedweller · #**14487** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 12:23 AM**

Thanks!
I think it looks fine.
When the historical lamps are installed on top of the concrete columns, the metal street lamps probably won't be as prominent since pedestrians typically don't look up very much (i.e. line of sight).

Prometheus · #**14488** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 1:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

The fence is fine and it will stop suicides from happening.

The fence looks "fine" precisely because it is not an effective suicide fence, in contrast to the one installed on the Second Narrows Bridge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

You don't need a fence that is physically impossible to climb over you just need something that will be a barrier.

The original concrete railing was a barrier, at least for those who didn't want to commit suicide. But for those who want to commit suicide, then a barrier which is physically impossible (or practically impossible) to circumvent is usually necessary. Based on what has been built so far, this fence, it appears, is neither.

But time (and the data) will tell.

EdinVan · #**14489** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 1:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

The fence is fine and it will stop suicides from happening.

That's not technically correct. The fence might stop suicides at that particular bridge. There is no solid evidence, however, that suicide barriers reduce the overall suicide rate in a city. The money spent on this virtue-signalling project would have been better spent on mental health services or other initiatives for which there is actually evidence of effectiveness.

EdinVan · #**14490** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 1:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

The fence looks "fine" precisely because it is not an effective suicide fence, in contrast to the one installed on the Second Narrows Bridge.

The original concrete railing was a barrier, at least for those who didn't want to commit suicide. But for those who want to commit suicide, then a barrier which is physically impossible (or practically impossible) to circumvent is usually necessary. Based on what has been built so far, this fence, it appears, is neither.

But time (and the data) will tell.

I believe the preferred term is "die by suicide." "Commit" suicide implies criminal behaviour.

christmas · #**14491** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 2:56 AM**

http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-vancouver-transit-centre-sold
TransLink’s $440-million Oakridge bus depot sold for development

1,200 new residential units, buildings up to 15 storeys high

WarrenC12 · #**14492** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 3:10 AM**

Is this revenue earmarked for something, or perhaps already spent (Evergreen)?

Jebby · #**14493** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 6:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdinVan

I believe the preferred term is "die by suicide." "Commit" suicide implies criminal behaviour.

Seriously?

jollyburger · #**14494** Posted **Dec 21, 2016, 7:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Is this revenue earmarked for something, or perhaps already spent (Evergreen)?

Quote:

"The proceeds from this property sale will provide additional regional funding for the Broadway and Surrey rapid transit projects," said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond in a statement.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/oakridge-transit-centre-sold-1.3906258