158 Suicide Attempts and 29 Deaths Over 10 Years... Safety Railings Installed at Gyeongin Ara Waterway

POSCO Energy Supports 440 Million KRW for Project
Incorporating Solar Facilities with Eco-Friendly and Scenic Considerations

Safety railing at Sicheon Bridge on Gyeongin Ara Waterway
[Photo provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A suicide prevention safety railing has been installed at Sicheon Bridge on the Gyeongin Ara Waterway, where jumping accidents frequently occur.

Incheon City announced on the 26th that POSCO Energy Co., Ltd. fully funded the project with a budget of 440 million KRW to install a suicide prevention safety railing incorporating solar power facilities along a 125-meter section of Sicheon Bridge.

The railing height was increased from the previous 1.4m to 2.8m, the upper part of the railing was curved inward, and rotating rollers were installed at the top to prevent people from climbing over.

Additionally, it is the first in the nation to be installed as a solar power integrated model, showcasing an eco-friendly renewable energy design. The solar modules use colors inspired by the Incheon sea and the Jeongseojin sunset, considering suicide prevention, environmental friendliness, and aesthetics.

Sicheon Bridge on the Gyeongin Ara Waterway is located at Sicheon Garamteo, known as one of the "Three Scenic Spots of Suhyang," boasting a magnificent view. It is the area with the highest foot traffic among Ara Waterway bridges, with the Gyeongin Ara Waterway tourist cruise ticket office and nearby Geomam Station located there.

After installing the safety railing, Incheon City plans to conduct monitoring of suicide attempts, analyze energy savings from the solar integrated model, and carry out local perception surveys regarding the safety railing, before considering additional installations at other locations along the Gyeongin Ara Waterway.

Meanwhile, according to the Jeongseojin 119 Water Rescue Team of the Incheon Western Fire Station, from 2012 to the present, there have been a total of 158 jumping accidents on the Gyeongin Ara Waterway, resulting in 29 deaths, 11 of which occurred at Sicheon Bridge.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.