Bridge cables are accessible for inspection and repair & not buried in concrete. Except for the anchored ends of the cable and the bridge center which are in concrete blocks - but maybe the cables inside those blocks are accessible. Would make sense that they would be I guess.
Another interesting thing about the GGBridge as I understand it, is at some point after its opening, painting has gone on non-stop.
Hi Jim 0216, that's why I included txt in the post "(excluding the bridge Cable anchoring)". i.e. the anchoring in concrete. I believe your original question was regarding a "tensile" loss in the "suspending" steel of the bridge (over time) verses Oroville Spillway Radial Gate Anchor Tendons.
Yes the main suspension cable is anchored in concrete. The cable is split into many subsection termination points to distribute the stress loading and facilitate the termination technique in the concrete. Even in the concrete the bridge cable maintains its "tensile" stress from the "pull" of the suspension bridge. For longevity the anchoring of the steel cable bundles in the concrete must have superior corrosion protection & maintenance. Below is a cross section piece of one of the dual main suspension cables.
