AFTER decades of debate, and unknown numbers of lost lives, the board that controls the Golden Gate Bridge has voted to install a suicide barrier.
At a cost of millions of dollars, stainless steel nets will be hung from the sides of the world-famous bridge in an effort to stop people from jumping to their deaths.
With a 14-1 vote in favour of the net system, the Golden Gate Transportation D
istrict's board of directors rejected several other options to prevent suicide jumps, including extending the existing 4ft railings and leaving the iconic bridge unchanged.
"This is a red-letter day in the history of San Francisco," said Dr Mel Blaustein, the president of the Psychiatric Foundation of Northern California, which has lobbied for a barrier. "It's a suicide magnet. And sometimes all they need is a certain amount of time to stop, reflect and change their minds."
Officials said the steel nets, which would hang 20 feet below the bridge and extend about 20 feet from each side, would save lives without marring the California landmark's appearance. "The net offers a way to do the most humane and highest-minded thing… in a way that is aesthetically (minimal] as far as impacts on the bridge," said board member Charles McGlashan.
About 20 people take fatal jumps from the bridge every year, but 38 jumped last year and 19 have leaped so far this year, bridge officials said.
The net system, which is expected to cost between $40m and $50m to build, still requires a final environmental review. It will cost about $100,000 a year to maintain the nets, compared with $500,000 a year in maintenance costs for other suicide barriers, said Mary Currie, spokeswoman for the bridge authority.
Board member James Eddie voted against the plan because he was worried about the cost. "I want to ensure, if we build it, we're not indebting our children," he said.
Board member Joanne Sanders said commuters should not pay higher tolls to cover the net system's expense; instead, a pedestrian toll should cover the costs.
Tom Ammiano, board member and long-time advocate of the barrier, said he has been speaking about funding to state and federal officials, who have been supportive of the idea.
Proponents of a suicide barrier applauded after the board's vote Friday. John Brooks, 52, whose daughter Caley jumped from the bridge in January, said the barrier was a "moral imperative". "There is a good chance that had a barrier been there, she'd still be here," he said.
But opponents say a barrier won't deter people from committing suicide and question whether money would be better spent on mental health treatment. "We should help these people long before they get to the bridge," said Mill Valley resident Clark Hinderleider.
The full article contains 473 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
