California Construction News staff writer
Shimmick Corporation has settled a lawsuit with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District for $97 million after three years of litigation over delays and cost overruns related to the Golden Gate Bridge Physical Suicide Deterrent and Wind Retrofit project.
Shimmick, along with its joint venture partner Danny’s Construction, was awarded a $142 million contract to lead the retrofit of the iconic San Francisco bridge. The project includes installing a marine-grade steel suicide deterrent net along the nearly 2-mile (3.2 km) span of the Golden Gate Bridge and upgrading underbridge maintenance access points.
However, according to Shimmick, unforeseen defects in the bridge’s structure, which were not disclosed during the bidding process, led to delays and additional costs. The original estimated cost for the project was $224 million, but Shimmick has argued the total cost could exceed $400 million.
With the lawsuit settled, Shimmick is expected to complete on-site work by 2025.
“Our work on this project included the installation of a suicide deterrent net system, an important outcome to benefit Californians” said Steve Richards, CEO of Shimmick. “We take immense pride in the outstanding work our team has done on this challenging and vital project and look forward to utilizing these talented team members on other Shimmick projects in the near future.”
The Golden Gate Bridge Physical Suicide Deterrent and Wind Retrofit project is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the Bay Area. The new suicide deterrent system, which will create a barrier 20 feet below and 20 feet outward from both sides of the bridge, aims to prevent suicides from the bridge.
