In Memory of Matt Aydelott

Cold Spring Arch Bridge « In Memory of Matt Aydelott

The process of getting a barrier constructed at the Cold Spring Arch Bridge is ongoing. It is essential that this safety feature be constructed to prevent any more needless deaths. As the surviving family member of someone who lost their life at this bridge, I can say that there is no more painful experience than tragically and needlessly losing someone who you love dearly. For more information on the barrier and updates about the bridge, please visit my sister’s website at stopthetragedy.org.

If you are feeling hopeless and are considering an irreversible solution to your pain, please stop and seek help. I assure you that there are people in your life who would do anything to keep you here with them for as long as possible. Please give them the opportunity to keep you here, and contact someone who can help guide you through what I know is an excruciating and desperate time. Know that the pain that you are experiencing is temporary and that you can make it through to better days. There are many people who are here to help you and who want to help you, please reach out to someone who you know and trust or call someone at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and get help.

The following is a timeline of events in the process of getting a barrier built at the Cold Spring Arch Bridge:

• October 16, 2008 SBCAG votes to recommend that Caltrans move ahead with the installation of a permanent barrier at the Cold Spring Arch Bridge.
• July 16, 2009 Funding is secured for the construction of the barrier
• June 28, 2010 Construction begins on the suicide barrier
• July 13, 2010 Judge Thomas Anderle halts construction of the suicide barrier
• December 3, 2010 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report is made available to the public online on the Cold Spring Canyon Bridge project page on the Caltrans website and in person at locations listed on that page
• January 5, 2011 A public hearing on the environmental impact of the barrier takes place from 5:30 to 7:30PM at the following location:
San Marcos High School cafeteria
4750 Hollister Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Please look over the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report available in pdf form on Caltrans Cold Spring Canyon Bridge project page and submit your comments by January 24, 2011 to Matt Fowler by email at matt_c_fowler@dot.ca.gov or regular mail at the following address:

Caltrans
50 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Attn: Matt Fowler, Senior Environmental Planner
• March 1, 2012 Construction on the safety barrier at the Cold Spring Canyon Bridge is complete.

Letters written in favor of the bridge for the October 16, 2008 SBCAG meeting are available at the following page in pdf form for archival purposes.

This page has the following sub pages.

• Letters in Support of the Barrier