[ZOOKER]

Watched a documentary about suspension bridge construction not long ago.

The towers went up first, then roadway and cables were built out on both sides of the tower, balanced, until it reached the approach on one end and midpoint between towers on the other end. The second tower was worked the same way. Last piece was the short section at the midpoint, connecting the towers.

I guess that's the old, non-accelerated method?

[Alberta's Child]

The process you described is correct. What made this bridge different was that it wasn't designed to be constructed in stages like the "balanced cantilever" approach you described. Instead, the two bridge sections were build as modular units so they could be installed quickly.

I don't think the design/construction process involving a precast bridge section is questionable. What baffles me is why anyone would have assumed the newly-installed section could hold up under its own weight WITHOUT any additional support -- either a temporary mid-span column or the final tower/cable arrangement.

[itsahoot]

Watched a documentary about suspension bridge construction not long ago.

This one might be of interest then.

How the tallest bridge in the world was built.