Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Barrier Delays Blamed On Contractor
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Golden Gate Bridge managers are blaming a local company for major delays in building a suicide barrier on the span.
In the meantime, local transportation agencies have agreed to come up with the money to cover the cost overruns on the project.
The bridge district had originally set aside $76 million to build the net, but when bids for the contract came in, they were twice that amount. Construction work has been delayed for a year.
Bridge District Manager Dennis Mulligan told the Metropolitan Transportation Commission that he blames a consulting company for the delays.
"Quite frankly, they blew the estimate," Mulligan told KCBS.
The Bridge District, the MTC, and CalTrans announced Wednesday they have agreed to come up with $120 million to make up for the cost overruns.
"This is a vital safety priority," John Goodwin with the MTC said.
30 people take their own lives by jumping from the bridge every year on average.
"His death motivates me, and when I'm speaking about him, just like now, I can't stop," Manuel Gamboa told KCBS. His son committed suicide on the bridge three years ago.
