On Friday, Golden Gate managers voted to build a stainless steel net underneath the bridge, which is aimed at deterring people from jumping off it in an attempt to commit suicide.

The method was chosen from other several ones, directors estimating that the costs for the net would amount to about $50 million. In addition, the Golden Gate officials stated that before the construction began, an environmental review, along with further research in the matter would be necessary. The main environmental issue to be studied is the effect the net would have on pelicans and cormorants, which are often seen on the Golden Gate Bridge.

This has not been the first attempt to build a barrier that would stop people from jumping off the bridge, coming after several efforts that spread over a number of years, all of which have unfortunately been to no avail.

The directors voted 14-to-1 in favour of building a net made of wire rope coated with plastic, which is to be placed 20 feet below the walkways on the two sides of the bridge.

Throughout the years, an estimated number of 1,300 people have jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, which is deemed as being a suicide magnet.

Official figures show that approximately 20 people commit suicide by jumping from the bridge each year, although the death toll for 2007 rose to 38 persons, while so far this year, 19 people have been reported to have thrown themselves off the Golden Gate Bridge.

The 4,200-foot-long bridge is one of San Francisco’s major tourist attractions, drawing many visitors annually. Consequently, concerns have been raised by residents and officials alike, both parties fearing that building the net might not only entail a smaller number of jumpers, but also a smaller number of visitors.