Golden Gate Bridge to install suicide net

San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge is to be surrounded by a stainless steel net to stop suicides, officials said today.

The Golden Gate Transportation District’s board of directors voted 16-1 to install the net after considering several other methods to halt people jumping off the world-famous bridge.

Officials estimate the steel net will cost up to $50m (€37.3m). The suicide prevention net will require an environmental review and further study before installation.

Officials said about 20 people jump from the bridge every year, but 38 jumped last year and 19 have jumped so far this year.