San Francisco attempting to prevent suicide at “Golden Bridge”

The “Golden Gate” bridge in San Francisco is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. Some have even called it a “The Seven Modern World Miracles”

But for some it is the last door to death. Over the years thousands of people have been thrown from the bridge's rails to suicide. But as the Voice of America reports, a precautionary measure will soon be operational.

The Golden Bridge, about three miles [3 km] long, has long harassed the thinking of those who wanted to commit suicide.

Since the opening of the bridge in May 1937, thousands have been dumped.

Last year over 240 people tried to jump, but most failed. Only 33 of them were thrown from the rails of the bridge to the death.

“Yes, I hear that many suicides are committed by this bridge,” says visitor Josh Cuevas.
I didn't know until my friend told me. As far as I can see, he's been surrounded by fences. I guess that's why they did it,” says visitor Mai Habib.

The agency managing the bridge has begun building a network to wait for those who jump.
The “will be about 20 feet [6 m] below the sidewalk from both sides of the bridge, and it will also be about six meters wide enough to prevent people jumping”, says Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz of the Golden Bridge Management Agency.

Some people feel that there is no need to spend all these funds to save people who no longer want to live. Others worry that the net can spoil the magnificent view of the bridge.

But after a ten-year debate and the greatest public awareness of mental health problems, the project is taking shape.

The security grid is designed not to damage the view of the bridge,” says Mr. Cosulich-Schwartz.

The net will be under the bridge, so when cars cross the bridge, or when people walk on the sidewalk, they can't see it. The cables containing the net will be orange to fit the color of the bridge. The net will be gray to match ocean water color.

The net will cost about $221m and its deployment will be completed in about three years.

The main problem will be dense fog and strong winds.

You can now see the workers installing the platform. With this platform the workers will move down the bridge and work under the bridge and on the sides of the bridge. First, we will install the steel links and tubes that will hold the net and then the net is set up,” explains Mr. Cosulich-Schwartz.

Special phones linking 24 hours a day to crisis telephone lines have long been installed in the corners of the bridge to help people experiencing difficult times. Hence, individuals in a troubled situation may come to the bridge and talk to someone who comforts them and abandons their plans for suicide.

But with the net established, it is believed that more lives will be saved.