Suicide prevention net at Golden Gate Bridge begins construction
- 7 years ago
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco officials have finally passed a plan to build a suicide prevention net on the Golden Gate Bridge. Construction officially started last week.
“The Golden Gate Bridge is a source of immense pride in the Bay Area, but for far too many families it has also been a place of pain. We are honoring a deep moral responsibility to save lives whenever and wherever we can,” Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a press release.
The suicide deterrent net will be made of enough stainless steel to cover seven football fields. It will be positioned about 20 feet below the sidewalk on the bridge and extend 20 feet outwards. The net will be hung on both sides of the bridge about 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
The Golden Gate Bridge has long been a popular suicide spot. In 2016 alone, 39 people committed suicide there. More than 1,500 people are believed have taken their lives at the Golden Gate Bridge over its 80-year lifespan.
The suicide net will be built over four years and it is expected to be completed in 2021.
Suicide prevention help:
In the U.S., the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted at 116 123.
In Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.
“The Golden Gate Bridge is a source of immense pride in the Bay Area, but for far too many families it has also been a place of pain. We are honoring a deep moral responsibility to save lives whenever and wherever we can,” Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a press release.
The suicide deterrent net will be made of enough stainless steel to cover seven football fields. It will be positioned about 20 feet below the sidewalk on the bridge and extend 20 feet outwards. The net will be hung on both sides of the bridge about 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
The Golden Gate Bridge has long been a popular suicide spot. In 2016 alone, 39 people committed suicide there. More than 1,500 people are believed have taken their lives at the Golden Gate Bridge over its 80-year lifespan.
The suicide net will be built over four years and it is expected to be completed in 2021.
Suicide prevention help:
In the U.S., the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted at 116 123.
In Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.