Safety fence installed on George Washington Bridge

FORT LEE, N.J. (AP) - Workers have installed a temporary safety fence along the George Washington Bridge's south sidewalk two weeks ahead of schedule.

The sidewalk reopened at 6 a.m. Wednesday after being closed 2½ months while workers erected an 11-foot-tall barrier and netting that seeks to prevent people from jumping off the span that connects New Jersey with New York.

With the south walk open, officials closed the north sidewalk as part of the 2018 "Restoring the George" project. The work includes replacing the bridge's original 592 suspender ropes and the installation of a permanent safety fence on both sidewalks.

Officials have increased walking police patrols and stationed emergency service units at the crossing in a bid to stem suicides.