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Imagine a scenario where you are tasked with designing a suspension bridge to span a wide river in a region prone to high winds and seismic activity. Discuss the key structural elements and design considerations you would incorporate to ensure the bridge's stability, durability, and safety under such challenging environmental conditions. Additionally, elaborate on the materials you would choose for construction and how you would optimize the bridge's design to minimize both construction costs and long$-$term maintenance requirements while still meeting all necessary safety standards and load$-$bearing capacities.