Suicide prevention nets at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge are nearly completed after 2 years of delay

• The construction of anti-suicide nets at the Golden Gate Bridge is nearly finished after four years. 
• An average of 30 people die by suicide at San Francisco's world-famous bridge every year. 
• The project, costing $211 million, started construction in 2018.

The construction of anti-suicide nets at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is nearly finished after two years of delay.

An average of 30 people or more die by suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge every year, according to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District website. Hundreds of potential suicides are thwarted by citizen intervention, law enforcement, Golden Gate Bridge District Patrol, and California Highway Patrol. 

The project, costing $211 million, began construction in 2018. A completion date in 2021 was missed due to setbacks, and the anti-suicide nets are due to be finished in November 2023, says the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District.

The 20 feet wide net will be placed 20 feet below the bridge's sidewalk, and 200 feet above the turbulent waters of San Francisco Bay.

Denis Mulligan, general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, told the LA Times that when the nets are nearly 100% effective in preventing people from taking their lives.

The Times of London reports that the district approved a new $824,000 training facility to prepare responders to recover people from the steel nets on Friday. 

 According to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, it is made of steel and could cause injury on impact. 

"It's been a long, difficult process to get this done," said Paul Muller, who is the president of the Bridge Rail Foundation, a suicide prevention charity, reported The Times, adding, "but we're finally seeing the construction getting there, and we see a light at the end of the tunnel."

Speaking in 2015, when the suicide net initiative was launched, Aaron Roth, assistant superintendent at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, said, "For too long, tragedy and loss have been part of the national park at the Golden Gate. We look forward to a future where the beauty and inspiration of this beautiful place are not overshadowed by these tragic losses and deep sorrow."

A number of strategies are already in place at the bridge to stop people from jumping, such as phones that go directly to crisis hotlines and volunteer organizations that patrol the bridge.

About 1,800 people have died by suicide from the structure since it first opened in 1937, according to The Times.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress and best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line — just text "HOME" to 741741.