To help prevent additional deaths and accidents, PennDOT plans to build fences on the deadly Trestle Bridge in Downingtown, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News. 

In the last ten years, six people have died after falling or jumping from the bridge. Community members died by suicide in 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2021 by jumping from the bridge, according to Coroner Sophia Garcia-Jackson. The causes of the two deaths in 2023 at the same spot are pending further investigation. 

The works are already in preparation and the access to the bridge will soon be blocked, said PennDOT Spokesperson Krys Johnson. 

“The department is working to install a resilient, non-scalable fence quickly while we research more permanent measures,” said Johnson. 

Additional four No Trespassing signs were already placed at the bridge, according to PennDOT, to assist with local law enforcement efforts. 

Almost 5,000 community members signed a petition started by West Bradford resident Caitlin Reinert in May of 2021 to do something about the dangerous bridge. 

“While we can’t always prevent how a person ends their life, the community of Downingtown does not want history to continually repeat itself,” stated the petition. 

Read more about the plans for Trestle Bridge in The Daily Local News.

______