“Compare the photo in #4 and #44.
The photo in #4 seems like that span was put up without the suspension elements shown in #44.
I don’t see remnants of what would be called the cables in a regular suspension bridge.”
Yep, I think you called it. The shoring should not have been removed until the suspension cables were installed. I think I can see the anchor bolts in place, but no suspension cables.
Yes, every photo of every suspension bridge I’ve ever seen has the towers erected first, then the catenary cables are strung, then the vertical cables installed, and lastly the bridge roadway installed. It seems here that maybe they were trying to design a self-supporting structure and adding the cables later? Doesn’t make sense.
Kind of like building the roof of your house in mid-air first, then installing the foundation and walls under it.
You called it. At the very least, no traffic should be allowed until after suspension supports are in place and tested. Someone should go to jail for this! Allowing traffic to sit under an incomplete span? Criminal!