Federal Grant Program Launches to Fund Suicide Barriers on Bridges and Garages, Offering $10 Million Annually

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 is setting up a new federal program designed to fund physical safety measures—think nets and barriers—on public structures where suicide attempts are tragically common. This isn't just about bridges; the bill covers bridges, buildings, parking garages, and rail stations, making a direct push to use infrastructure improvements as a public health tool.

The New Safety Fund: How $10 Million Per Year Will Be Spent

Starting in fiscal year 2026 and running through 2030, Congress has authorized $10 million annually for a new grant program run by the Secretary of Transportation (Section 2). This money is earmarked specifically for installing "evidence-based suicide deterrents," meaning measures proven to work, like nets or barriers, at high-risk spots (Section 2). If you live in a community that has seen a high number of suicides involving a public structure, your state or local government can apply for this money, which will be prioritized for areas with the highest rates.

There's a catch, though: the federal grant will only cover up to 80% of the project cost. That means local governments, state agencies, or other eligible groups have to find the remaining 20% to get the work done. For a city trying to install a barrier on a busy downtown parking garage, that 20% match could be a significant financial hurdle, potentially slowing down projects in jurisdictions with tight budgets (Section 2).

Highway Funds Get a New Purpose

Beyond the new grant program, the bill makes a smart technical fix to existing law. Currently, federal funds designated for the National Highway System (NHS) are used for things like resurfacing roads and fixing guardrails. This Act explicitly clarifies that these NHS funds can now also be used to install safety nets and barriers on bridges that are part of the National Highway System (Section 3). This is a big deal because it unlocks a massive, established funding source for bridge safety projects without requiring local governments to apply for a brand new grant. If your commute involves an NHS bridge, this provision means safety improvements could be funded much faster.

Studying the Problem Beyond Bridges

While bridges often get the focus, the bill acknowledges that other structures are also tragically involved. It mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States conduct a study on suicide prevention measures for structures other than bridges (Section 4). This study has to identify high-risk structures like buildings and parking garages, analyze what makes them dangerous, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost of various deterrents, including nets and barriers. The goal is to move past assumptions and figure out the best, most cost-effective ways to prevent these tragedies across a wider range of public spaces. The findings are due to Congress within one year, which will help future policy makers and local planners make better decisions about where and how to invest in safety.