North Charleston Overpass Equipped with New Jump Guard Safety Feature
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The City of North Charleston has taken new steps to improve public safety, installing a jump guard on the Ashley Phosphate Road overpass following a series of tragedies.
Community Calls for Action
The safety measure comes after two people recently lost their lives jumping from the busy overpass. City leaders, including Mayor Reggie Burgess and District Two Councilwoman Rhonda Jerome, pushed state senators and the South Carolina Department of Transportation to approve preventative measures.
“It’s one big happy family because that’s what we are,” Jerome said. “Communities are our family. We go to our neighborhood civic clubs. They’re our family. They come to our meetings. They’re our family. So when they hurt, we hurt.”
Jump Guard Designed to Prevent Suicides
The newly installed jump guard is intended to make the overpass safer for both pedestrians and drivers below. Officials say the barrier is a proactive step aimed at saving lives and preventing further tragedies in the area.
The decision was made after local leaders studied potential solutions and determined that jump guards offered the most immediate and effective form of prevention.
Plans to Expand Safety Measures
City officials say this is only the beginning. The next phase of the project will include adding similar safety features at other high-risk locations, such as the Weber Interchange.
By expanding these protections, leaders hope to address the concerns of residents and provide peace of mind to families across North Charleston.
Residents are invited to share their thoughts on the new safety measures and ideas for improving community well-being at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
