New Railing Design Proposed for Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in Taos

NMDOT plans to raise bridge railings to deter suicides, with construction expected to begin this fall.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:07am

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A bold, geometric illustration depicting the towering presence of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, with sweeping gradients in earthy tones and a sleek, streamlined design that captures the grand scale of the structure without any literal depiction of people or text.The iconic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in Taos, New Mexico, set to undergo a major safety overhaul with taller railings to deter suicide attempts.Taos Today

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has released a design option to raise the railings on the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, New Mexico. The new railing would extend the existing four-foot panels to a height of six to eight feet, with an angled top, in an effort to deter suicides at the popular tourist destination. The $8 million project is expected to begin construction in the fall, though the sheriff's office is pushing for temporary measures in the meantime.

Why it matters

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge has seen a troubling rise in suicide attempts, with seven people taking their lives there in 2025 alone. This has prompted NMDOT to prioritize improving safety measures and deterrents at the historic bridge, which is a major tourist attraction in the Taos area.

The details

The new railing design calls for extending the existing four-foot panels to a height of six to eight feet, with an angled top. NMDOT says this approach will avoid any structural issues with the bridge and be easier to maintain than other options. The final design is expected to be completed within a month, with construction slated to begin in the fall.

  • In 2025, seven people died by suicide at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the most in a single year.
  • Over the weekend, another person jumped from the bridge.
  • NMDOT plans to hold a community meeting on the new railing design in Taos on May 7, 2026.
  • Construction on the new railings is expected to begin in the fall of 2026.

The players

Steve Miera

Taos County Sheriff, who has been pushing for more immediate safety measures at the bridge.

Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic

Communication Director for the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT).

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What they’re saying

“Basically, it will extend the still panels that are already in place and just raise them vertically.”

— Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic, Communication Director, NMDOT

“In shifting their focus from their intention, it may give us those few seconds for them to realize what they are doing.”

— Steve Miera, Taos County Sheriff

What’s next

NMDOT is planning to hold a community meeting on the new railing design in Taos on May 7, 2026. The final design is expected to be completed within a month, with construction on the $8 million project slated to begin in the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

The tragic rise in suicide attempts at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge has prompted NMDOT to prioritize improving safety measures, though the sheriff's office is pushing for more immediate temporary solutions as the long-term construction project moves forward.