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This undated artist rendering provided by the Golden Gate Bridge authorities shows the proposed netting suicide barrier that is to be installed under the iconic bridge in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge is a big step closer to getting a suicide barrier after bridge officials approved a $76 million funding package for a net system that would prevent people from jumping to their deaths. The bridge district's board of directors voted unanimously on Friday, June 27, 2014, in favor of the funding package, which includes $20 million in bridge toll revenue. (AP Photo/Golden Gate Bridge handout)

Travelers who got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge on Thursday night may want to prepare: Nighttime lane closures on the famous span will continue for three more years.

The closures — which in some cases leave only one lane in each direction open — are required during the construction of the long-planned suicide barrier.

But Thursday night’s closure caused especially bad traffic because it coincided with the end of a Doobie Brothers and Eagles concert at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Some travelers complained of the snarled traffic on social media, asking officials of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District why it took more than hour to cross the bridge. One traveler called Thursday night’s closure a “debacle” causing “standstill traffic for hours.”

We apologize for the delay & inconvenience. We think last night's concert at the ballpark was a big factor in the delay. We'll reconsider re-timing of closures around future events. Note, overnight closures will continue through 2021 as we construct our suicide deterrent system.

— Golden Gate Bridge (@GGBridge) September 21, 2018

On Friday, the district canceled planned closures ahead of the Journey, Def Leppard and Foreigner concert at AT&T Park — a decision that may have been made to prevent another late-night crawl of impatient travelers eager to cross the bridge at night.

The overnight closures through 2021 mean that all but at least one lane in each direction will close to traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, according to the district’s website.

“The closures will provide safe space for workers to lower construction materials under the roadway to build the Suicide Deterrent System,” reads the district site.

District officials said they may consider re-scheduling the timing of the closures in the case of future concerts or other events that may bring increased traffic at nighttime.

On the district website, officials also suggested travelers consider using public transit as a way to bypass overnight traffic on the bridge.

Construction began on the barrier, which is a steel net running the length of the 8,981-foot bridge and sticking out 20 feet on both sides, in August after years of debate among officials.

More than one thousand people have died after jumping from the bridge since it opened to the public in 1937.

Officials hope the $211 million project will help reduce suicides.

Electronic traffic signs will be posted on a nightly basis to alert travelers of the lane closures, officials said.

For Golden Gate Bridge traffic alerts, visit www.goldengate.org

