Bungee jumping restriction put on bridges

TWIN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department plans to put up signs on a pair of bridges in southwest Idaho as a reminder that blocking walkways on the bridges and tying items to the handrails are banned under state law.

“It should eliminate bungee jumping on the Perrine and Hansen bridges,” said Transportation Department spokesman Nathan Jerke. “That’s kind of what we’re going after.”

Jerke said the signs should be up by Friday on the two bridges near Twin Falls and will help police enforce state laws.

Bungee jumpers attach themselves to elastic cords that are tied to high points, then leap off. But Transportation Department officials said private bungee jumping companies are using the bridges to make money, that the activity blocks the walkways across the bridges, and that handrails have been damaged by having the cords anchored to them.

Officials also said the activity is a distraction for drivers.

“We need to do what we can to make sure we keep the distractions along the side of the bridge to a minimum for the sake of drivers and pedestrians,” Devin Rigby, a department engineer, told the Times-News. “We want to keep drivers’ eyes on the road and walkways open and safe for everyone who wants to cross the bridge.”

Officials said BASE jumpers – who deploy parachutes rather than using bungee cords – won’t be affected as long as their equipment doesn’t block the pedestrian walkways.