Netting was considered more than once
Pasadena’s reviewers recommended against a net at this bridge because of engineering, appearance, and rescue concerns. Some engineering work remained preliminary.
Horizontal netting
Follow Pasadena’s review of horizontal netting, including engineering, rescue, and preservation concerns.
← All barrier designs and alternatives
2017–2018
Netting was part of the original comparison
The City presented a safety-netting concept in 2017. The 2018 task-force comparison rated horizontal netting relatively highly for effectiveness, but poorly for appearance and its effect on emergency services.
Nov 2023
The question returned with new vertical designs
Councilmember Steve Madison asked about horizontal netting and landscaping. Staff said both had been studied and described difficulties involving the bridge’s geometry, structural demands, remaining fall distance, and the appearance of a net beneath its arches.
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Jan 2024
The Design Commission revisited the alternative
Chair Julianna Delgado asked whether a horizontal net or another measure could be used. An off-camera respondent described the earlier review and the Council’s vertical-barrier direction. The records reviewed do not identify that speaker by name or role.
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Jul 2024
Staff presented a more detailed review
Staff presented preliminary engineering work, Golden Gate consultation, and rescue concerns. Fire Chief Chad Augustin could not recommend netting from a public-safety standpoint. Staff reported that the expert-review recommendation against it was unanimous.
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Findings and limits
The 2024 engineering work was unfinished. Engineers had not designed the connections, and more study was needed to determine whether the bridge itself would need changes.