[hn_throwaway_99]

> I really don't understand all the hyperbole around this bridge. It's a suspension bridge, so the relevant bits are at the pylons

I understand what you're saying, but the experience is quite different for the people driving over it compared to a bridge where it isn't a 2000 foot drop.

[stavros]

Yeah, I know it doesn't matter how high the actual bridge is, just the length and pylons, but it feels like it matters!

[GoToRO]

More height, stronger winds. It matters.

[pcl]

Is this true? Does the center of a canyon have higher wind speeds than the edges of that canyon? And what about gusts? I'd assume that boundaries are more turbulent.

[sidewndr46]

I think the point being made is that if you followed two ridgelines that make up a valley up to a common summit you could just jam a plank in there. You've got the world's highest bridge. It's only 4 ft long, but it is technically a bridge.

I'd be more interested to know how they raised individual components into place. But I presume they just started with small cables, then used those to raise larger ones into place over time.

[hn_throwaway_99]

I understand the point being made, and it's a valid one. My point, though, is along the lines of "engineers/tech-minded folk often miss the bigger picture". Yes, from an engineering perspective, it doesn't matter a whole lot how far the bottom of the valley floor is from the bridge (though I'm sure it matters some during construction).

But the "user experience" of someone driving over the bridge is vastly different, to the point where I know specifically of some people who wouldn't be willing to drive over it, and it's not "hyperbole" to point out how high this bridge is compared to the ground below.