Bridge Day Expansion - More Newspaper Articles...

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IDEA FOR EXPANDED BASE JUMPING AT BRIDGE DAY FLOATED

By Steve Keenan/FOR THE REGISTER-HERALD, March 25, 2005

FAYETTEVILLE - Instead of table games, why not try air games?

Last fall, Vertical Visions owner Jason Bell floated the idea of extending BASE jumping beyond the traditional six-hour window it enjoys annually on Bridge Day. His reasoning was two-fold: Allowing more BASE jumpers to take the leap from the New River Gorge Bridge translates to an additional influx of dollars into local and state coffers; and it gives jumping enthusiasts greater opportunities to explore their horizons, so to speak.

Referring to current discussion centered on introducing table games in the state, Bell said, "If the state wants to make money, let them do it by BASE jumping, which doesn't cause moral issues."

Although the Vertical Visions proposal has garnered some local support, it hasn't swayed the state Division of Highways. Bell, a Bridgeport resident, submitted a proposal over the winter to Jim Lagos, district engineer for DOH's District 9 office in Lewisburg. In it, Bell - heading into his fourth year as Bridge Day BASE coordinator - detailed the steps he, colleague Bill Bird and others would take to ensure that additional BASE jumping into the New River Gorge would be safe and wouldn't cause headaches for local officials or area travelers.

"We've got the experience needed to safely and successfully implement additional jumping days," Bell wrote to Lagos. "In addition, our large staff (50-plus) can manage all aspects of catwalk access and parachuting so that minimal outside resources, if any, are required.

"We are willing to work with you in any manner required in order to expand our small jumping window."

In the proposal, VV is asking for access to the bridge catwalk - normally used for inspection and repairs - so jumpers can spring from the span's underbelly on the Thursday and Friday preceding Bridge Day, which will be Saturday, Oct. 15, this year. Bell says his firm doesn't want the carnival-like atmosphere that surrounds Bridge Day to extend to those two days. His simple wish is to allow more jumpers the opportunity to take the death-defying leap.

On Bridge Day 2004, 390 jumpers made 645 successful jumps. Pointing to the fact that 30 participants didn't get to jump last year due to inclement weather, Bell said that problem would be negated if two additional days were granted.

"A three-day window of jumping would permit parachutists from the U.S. and many foreign countries to participate in their valued sport in a safer manner, while guaranteeing that weather would not be a factor," Bell says.

Lagos' office rejected the proposal.

"Since the bridge is located along a section of U.S. 19 that is a controlled access facility, you would access the walkway from the shoulder of U.S. 19, and as a result, your vehicles parked along the shoulder and the individual parachutists would be visible to the traveling public and could result in motorists also parking along the shoulder to observe your activities, which is a safety concern," Lagos wrote in his response to Bell.

"Appropriate traffic control measures would need to be implemented and enforcement officials would need to be present to deter motorists from stopping and to deter pedestrians from gathering near the bridge.

"The possibility also exists that traffic could increase on Fayette Station Road as spectators gather, which could hinder the preparatory activities associated with the event."

Bell said his organization has access to 85 parking spots on nearby private property, meaning that jumpers would not have to park along the highway. They would be transported via buses or vans from the bottom back to the bridge.

Bell has since attempted to enlist support from political leaders, including Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. He has also written to Highways Commissioner Paul Mattox asking that Lagos' decision be reconsidered.

"This is a win-win situation for jumpers, local businesses and the West Virginia tax base," Bell said in his correspondence to Rockefeller. "Why do West Virginia and the local communities simply wave goodbye (to all those tax dollars) after six hours?"

"I understand issues the DOH might have and I clearly address all of them," he said Thursday. "We have the money, and we don't need outside resources.

"We just need the keys to the catwalk."

- E-mail: skeenan@fayettetribune.com

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[leroydb 0]

awesome article!

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[TomAiello 26]

Jason,

Would it be helpful to have people write in to the newspaper with positive feedback?

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Quote

Would it be helpful to have people write in to the newspaper with positive feedback?

Absolutely. You can send a Letter to the Editor through their website (select the Fayette Tribune as the appropriate newspaper).

They have published letters to editor in the past regarding legal jumping. Thanks.

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[blitzkrieg 0]

bring the fight to 'em! i look forward to few extra jumps every year!!!

thanks Jason,
~E