RALEIGH -- A second fence now guards a 4-foot gap on a Beltline bridge over Crabtree Creek where two men have fallen accidentally to their deaths in the past four years.
The state Department of Transportation finished installing the fence late last month, about a week ahead of schedule. It also came in under budget, costing taxpayers about $15,000 less than projected.
The curved fence sits on top of a guardrail, and is 2 feet 7 inches tall. It's shorter than the fence on the other side because of a taller guardrail.
The DOT vowed to install the fence after the death of Lee Eames Jr. Eames of Willow Spring fell to his death through the gap from the Outer Beltline side on after stopping to help with an accident Nov. 27.
Another good Samaritan, Todd Fletcher, died in 2005 after falling through the gap from the Inner Beltline side. The DOT installed a fence on that side after Fletcher's death but not on the side where Eames later fell.
At the request of Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, the Department of Transportation also will install fences at three other sites in the city. They are on the Beltline over Yadkin Drive, the Beltline over Raleigh Boulevard, and New Bern Avenue over the Beltline.
