China News Service San Francisco, April 13 (Reporter Liu Dan) The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Protection Network, which has been delayed for three years, officially started construction on the 13th. The authorities' goal is to reduce the number of suicides from 39 last year to zero.
The orange-red Golden Gate Bridge was opened to traffic on May 27, 1937. It is a world-famous San Francisco landmark and a must-visit place for tourists. The bridge connects downtown San Francisco with Marin County in the north, spans the Pacific Ocean and the Kinmen Strait , with a total length of 2737 meters and a width of 27 meters. The bridge reaches the highest water surface of 67 meters.
On April 13, local time, the suicide protection network of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA, which has been delayed for three years, officially started construction. The authorities' goal is to reduce the number of suicides from 39 last year to zero. Photo by Liu Dan, China News Service
Since the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, it has become the first choice for some suicides. According to information provided by the Kinmen Bridge Authority, so far, more than 1,500 people have jumped into the water and died.
In 2016, a total of 223 people tried to jump off the bridge, 184 people were successfully stopped by the patrol team, and another 39 people unfortunately died.
Suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge are becoming increasingly younger. Since 2000, suicides under the age of 25 have increased from 9 to 43. The bridge patrol staff currently has 22 people.
US Congressional Minority Leader Pelosi seeds a yellow daisy symbolizing life. Photo by Liu Dan, China News Service reporter
At the construction ceremony held that day, federal senator Fanstan , Congressional Minority Leader Pelosi, California Chinese Representative Ding Youli, and dozens of suicide victims attended the event.
Pelosi said that the purpose of building a protective network after several years is about life, and he hopes to reduce the suicide number from 39 last year to zero.
Attendees planted 60 yellow daisies that symbolize life for the construction ceremony.
Family of suicide attends the ceremony. Photo by Liu Dan, China News Service
From now on, construction workers will prepare for initial work at night. In early May, they will install stainless steel protective nets about 6.09 meters below the bridge deck, and extend outward by 6.09 meters, with a total length of 2.72 kilometers, and are on both sides. They will be completed in mid-2018.
protection network costs $204 million and is budgeted from the Federal, California and Golden Gate Bridge Management Committees. (End)
