Prior to this pedestrian bridge collapse which unfortunately killed many people, the project was touted as a DEI success story. It appears that part of the story has been scrubbed from the Internet.
This could have easily been a steel beam structure either free-spanning the short distance, or with a center support in the median if needed. At significantly less cost as well.
It's interesting, the Mackinac Bridge is 5 miles long, built 70 years ago in 600 foot deep Lake Michigan water, and still stands strong today. But this 170 foot pedestrian bridge collapsed within a few days?
Pedestrian Bridge Collapse Over SW 8th Street HWY18MH009 - YouTube