Above is new version of an old technology. Roebling demonstrated suspension bridges in 1848-1851 by building four suspension bridges to carry 30+ foot coal carrying barges from Carbondale PA destined for NYC on the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This technology was later used in 1883 to create the Brooklyn Bridge.
Some pictures of Roeblings oldest and still existing bridge. Second is before side walls were restored. This bridge carried something like seven feet of water, 20 feet wide, for about 130+ feet across the Delaware at a junction to the Lackawaxen River (what now empties Lake Wallenpaupak).
Yes those are people under that bridge that was built by hand:
