Fence-in High Level Bridge, pleads husband of suicide victim

An Edmonton businessman described on Mondayhow his wife took herlife on the High Level Bridge while makingan impassioned plea to city councillors to erect barriers along the railings.

"The High Level Bridge has been a monument to tragedy for as long as I can rememberand we're about to embark on a project to light the bridge to try to make it a place of celebration," said Dan Klemke. "I implore you to stand with me and complete the job by adding a properimpediment to further tragedy."

Klemketold councillors his wife Marilyn experienced a severe reaction to hertravel immunizations and subsequent related prescription medicine late in 2012.

She jumped from the bridge on Jan. 2, 2013.

Klemkesaidit's too easy for people acting on impulse to jumpfrom the bridge.Hebrought along a sample of the west railingmade by a friend to show how councillors how easy it was to climb.

"I was unable to bring myself to goanywhere near the bridge until Dec. 7th," he said. "I went armed with a tape measure and a rose."

The west rail is covered with iron mesh, but rather than providing even a slight impediment, it is"actually perfectly designed to providestableand secure footingthat even a child could climb," he said.

Klemkeproposedextending and painting the chain link fencing already on the north end of the bridge over River Road which would be faster andcheaper than a more expensive option.

"Every month that goes by represents one or two more lives," he said. "Undoubtedly,even if we put an impediment there some people will find another way to end their life ... but we need to remove the easy impulsive option the bridge currently affords."

His story drew tears from some councillorsand changed the mind of Mayor Don Iveson.

"I was hesitant about the barrier until today and now I'm starting to think that maybe we do need to pursue that."

But he said whatever barrieris decided on must beaesthetic and functional.

A report outlining some detailed options will be prepared forMay.

In the meantime the city willinstallcall boxes on the High Level Bridgeconnected to the 24-hour Distress Line.

The $20,000cost will be absorbed in the budget.