SEATTLE - One item Gov. Chris Gregoire is adding to the state budget is a fence along Seattle's Aurora Avenue Bridge.

People working and living in the neighborhood have long complained about the number of suicides from the bridge, a national historic landmark built in 1931.

The state says on average, someone jumps from the bridge once every three months. But some wonder if Gregoire's $1.4 million solution will save lives.

It can be disturbing to work and live under a bridge where you witness a suicide every few weeks.

"You see the rescue personnel there, you see the fire trucks, you see the police and you pretty much know it's not a car accident - it's a suicide," said Ryan Thurston, Fremont resident.

Thurston had a friend commit suicide a few years ago. He founded Seattle Friends, a non-profit group pushing to do something about the Aurora Bridge.

"You kind of understand what the friends and family are going through. You know, having gone through it yourself," he said.

State transportation engineers say there's no simple solution.

"We looked at netting, and that turned out not to be feasible for a number of reasons," said Greg Phipps. "And then we also looked at the possibility of closing the bridge to pedestrians, which does have some community support, but that's also not a feasible option."

The city wants to promote walking and biking, so instead of closing the walkway, the state has been studying the possibility of a fence – 8 to 10 feet tall. The challenge is designing something that doesn't get in the way of regular bridge inspections. Officials aren't talking about a simple chain-link fence. Instead, the design will most likely include some kind of vertical bars.

If approved, construction would start some time in 2009.

The state says suicides also put emergency crews at risk, especially when they attempt a water rescue. And with more offices coming up under the bridge, businesses say it's taking an emotional toll on more workers.

"It can be anywhere from someone completely breaking down, to completely shutting it out and trying to pretend that it's not even happening," said Autumn Pulver, a human resources specialist.

The Legislature will consider the fence as part of the governor's budget next month.

Some wonder if it would simply move suicides to other parts of the city.

"Actually, studies have shown that when you prevent someone from committing suicide, they actually don't go somewhere else," Thurston said. "It's a very impulsive act."