A suicide net for the Golden Gate Bridge will cost $400 million, double the original price: contractor

• Contractors say a suicide net for the Golden Gate Bridge has ballooned to around $400 million.
• The net was meant to be completed in 2021 but faced delays; completion is now expected in 2023.

A suicide net for San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge will reportedly cost about $400 million – more than twice its original price.

The quote from the lead contractors was filed in court documents on Nov. 28 in which the companies alleged information was withheld by the city — notably undisclosed deterioration in sections on the bridge — and supposed flaws in the state's proposed net design, according to The Associated Press.

As a result, Shimmick Construction Co. and Danny's Construction Co. said the price jumped from around $142 million to $398 million, the outlet reported — citing court documents.

"We were alarmed to discover the District concealed significant information during the proposal phase of the Project, including extensive deterioration in certain areas of the bridge," Shimmick said in a statement, per The Associated Press.

Work began on the net – a 20-foot suicide barrier of stainless steel mesh on either side of the 1.7-mile bridge – in 2018 and was scheduled to conclude by 2021, according to The AP. The net is currently about halfway completed and is expected to be done by late 2023, per the outlet.

The project has been repeatedly delayed, something local district officials blamed on a multitude of leadership changes at Shimmick Construction, The Associated Press reported.

"We are deeply frustrated by Shimmick's slow pace of construction and multiple delays building the suicide barrier," said Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz, the city's Highway and Transportation District spokesman, per The AP. "The District has been transparent about the condition of the Bridge with Shimmick throughout the project."

According to the National Institutes of Health, the bridge is considered a "suicide magnet" that sees about 30 suicides per year.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line — just text "HOME" to 741741.