What was the main problem with building the Brooklyn Bridge?

Answer 1

The main problem was that the Chief Engineers kept becoming incapacitated! The first one died, and the second was bedridden throughout most of the bridge's construction. The bridge might not ever have been built, had it not been for Emily Warren Roebling.

John Roebling was originally the Chief Engineer, but he died not long after groundbreaking, when a collapse on the site severely injured his foot, which led to a tetanus infection and then death. So his son, Washington Roebling, became the Chief Engineer.

Unfortunately, Washington Roebling was also injured on the job, early into the construction. He got a bad case of decompression sickness (aka "the bends" or "cassion disease") while surveying the underwater cassions. He survived, but he was bedridden for the rest of the bridge's construction.

His wife, Emily Warren Roebling, was required to speak to the workmen on his behalf, and run messages between them. She had studied engineering and higher math, and so was able to provide crucial assistance in the remaining 11 years until the bridge's completion. She was also the first person to cross the bridge when it was completed.

However, history books typically ignore her contribution, and list only John and Washington Roebling as the Chief Engineers.