What is particularly
eerie about the 'fence' or
suicide barrier lining the viaduct is the shape of the struts. I only recently passed
over the bridge (as opposed to the usual journey
beneath the road's surface) and was struck, on a late night 'blueline' bus, how terrifying that fence really is. All the struts are shaped like
crosses leaning out into the open air! Row upon row of them line the pavement, a grim evocation of
ancient times on the
Appian Way. Is this intended as some kind of deep last-minute psychological prodding? After all, the
Xian faith takes a
poor view on
suicide...
I returned just yesterday to visit the site in
daylight. In such a context there is little mystery - the language of
signs and symbols has been replaced by clear
reality. A very prominent sign gives the number for a "distress line" above the phone at the west end of the
viaduct. No unnerving
cloud lingers from that first
bleary, late-night pass. The plain steel struts, so cross-like and menacing at night, are revealed to be ordinary objects without
overtones or
character.
A close examination of the
barrier itself caused me to wonder how such a thing could be effective - any determined
jumper could easily squirm through and still
make the plunge. Have millions of dollars been spent on the illusion of doing something about a problem without really addressing the source? I was left with more questions and idle speculation than anything else as I travelled further into the
Don Valley in search of the
Brickworks that particular day.