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| Golden Gate Bridge board approves anti-suicide net | Golden Gate Bridge board approves anti-suicide net |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| San Francisco bridge officials have approved the construction of suicide-prevention nets alongside the Golden Gate Bridge. | San Francisco bridge officials have approved the construction of suicide-prevention nets alongside the Golden Gate Bridge. |
| The bridge's board voted unanimously on a $76m (£45m) funding package. | The bridge's board voted unanimously on a $76m (£45m) funding package. |
| Since the bridge opened in 1937, more than 1,400 people have killed themselves by jumping off the bridge, including a record 46 suicides in 2013. | Since the bridge opened in 1937, more than 1,400 people have killed themselves by jumping off the bridge, including a record 46 suicides in 2013. |
| The vote marks a last step in what has been a decades-long campaign by families of suicide victims. | The vote marks a last step in what has been a decades-long campaign by families of suicide victims. |
| "For survivors, seeing more people added to our group while waiting for a funding package has been excruciating," said John Brooks, whose daughter died after jumping off the bridge in 2008. | "For survivors, seeing more people added to our group while waiting for a funding package has been excruciating," said John Brooks, whose daughter died after jumping off the bridge in 2008. |
| The stainless steel net was first approved by the board in 2008 over other suicide-prevention options, including raising the bridge's railings. | The stainless steel net was first approved by the board in 2008 over other suicide-prevention options, including raising the bridge's railings. |
| But funding for the project was a major obstacle. | But funding for the project was a major obstacle. |
| One of the more significant hurdles in funding the nets was overcome when the US president signed a law making safety barriers and nets eligible for federal funds. Federal funding will make up $49m of the project. | One of the more significant hurdles in funding the nets was overcome when the US president signed a law making safety barriers and nets eligible for federal funds. Federal funding will make up $49m of the project. |
| The net will stretch 20ft (6m) wide on each side of the span, officials say. | |
| During a news conference on Thursday ahead of the vote, one of the few people who had survived a suicide attempt off the bridge rejected the argument those who were suicidal would find another way if the nets were installed. | During a news conference on Thursday ahead of the vote, one of the few people who had survived a suicide attempt off the bridge rejected the argument those who were suicidal would find another way if the nets were installed. |
| Kevin Hines, 32, said he felt "instant regret" when he jumped. | Kevin Hines, 32, said he felt "instant regret" when he jumped. |
| "Not one more soul, not one more soul will be lost to that bridge," he said. | "Not one more soul, not one more soul will be lost to that bridge," he said. |
| Construction is expected to be completed by 2018, Denis Mulligan, the bridge's general manager, told the Associated Press news agency. |