text: Golden Gate Bridge suicide rate holds steady as group pushes for barrier – East Bay Times
  Golden Gate Bridge suicide rate holds steady as…
  "It's amazing the number has been so consistent," said Ken Holmes of Novato, former Marin County coroner and a member of the foundation's board, who has pushed for a barrier for years. "We are cautiously optimistic something will happen with the barrier and in the past we haven't always had that feeling."
  The optimism stems from a federal transportation bill signed last July by President Barack Obama that includes language allowing federal funds to flow to the project. Though it doesn't provide any of the $50 million needed to build the planned net barrier, it makes it eligible for federal cash, which was not the case previously.
  Sen. Barbara Boxer agreed to carry the language in the bill, and new Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, has voiced support for the barrier. Bridge board policy states that district toll dollars won't be used for construction of the barrier, but the district has worked to do preliminary work.
  "Final design for the barrier will be done by the end of the year," said Mary Currie, bridge district spokeswoman. "At that point it is ready to build."
  The foundation, which calculated its suicide total working with the Marin County coroner's office and the bridge district, also reported that last year 86 people were removed from the bridge because they presented an immediate risk of suicide. That figure includes individuals talked off the bridge ledge, others intercepted by staff or pedestrians on the walkway and others stopped in the parking lot when officials were warned of an impending suicide by family or friends.
  "We have people on the bridge looking to stop people who have the intent of harming themselves," Currie said. "We continue to have eyes and ears here at the bridge."