Cable suspension bridges are supported by two main steel cables. The deck is hung from suspender cables or steel rods. Decks are usually sawn timber planks. The cables are anchored into the streambanks and are supported by intermediate towers.

Longer span cable suspension bridge are usually designed with a stiffening truss. The stiffening truss supports and stiffens the deck. Bridges with spans shorter than 120 feet are often designed without the stiffener truss.

Stiffening trusses can be designed to carry dead loads and construction loads at sites where trusses can be supplied and installed in one piece. Cables are then added to carry live loads.