From what I've read about the bridge, the last 100 feet or more of the southeast end of the bridge would not have been too challenging to walk, that day. The SE end doesn't have the missing tied and what have you, compared to the middle of it and the northwest end.
I don't think his gait shows much of anything, I think he pivoted towards the girls, made more of a diagonal approach towards them those last roughly 70 feet of his walk before the abduction.
JMO
It is a combination of variables. The beginning of the bridge has the obvious missing plank and is most worn overall. You're asking yourself, "Am I really going to do this?" Several other planks in that area are narrower than the norm due to wearing away. And that is logical due to traffic realities. I'm sure many people walk onto onto the early stage for pictures or consideration, before turning around and going back.
Immediately after that you are over the creek itself. Those planks are still bad shape and well spaced, plus you really feel isolated given no trees on either side for the foreseeable. Now you've basically committed. If there's any wind it is going to have greatest impact in that area.
Middle of the bridge you start to get a feel for things and conditions seemingly improve. Then out of nowhere some planks are shockingly soft. I wobbled twice in that area. I have seen other videos notably Greeno's girlfriend when she reacts to squishy planks in that area.
It remains that way for a long time. The trees first close in on the left side once you're beyond Deer Creek. I remember settling on right center of the bridge as most secure. I really think that's all we're seeing from Bridge Guy. From prior crossings he probably already had chosen the right center path. Then he makes a brief and mostly meaningless one path detour to the left while avoiding a problematic area in the planks.
I do not believe that crossover was intentional in the slightest in regard to Abby or Libby. It's the only 1.8 seconds we have so too much is made of everything. He's still too far away on a narrow bridge to be angling toward anyone. If we had footage of the following steps I wouldn't doubt if he reverted one path rightward to the preferred path.
The end of the bridge assumes greater normalcy, not quite like a dirt footpath but close enough. The dread is long gone. Planks plenty close and no longer squishy. The trees reappear on both sides and most significantly the trees circling behind the bridge also become prominent. I always use the term funnel to describe that area because it is indeed the feel. Instead of isolated over the creek on gapped planks now there is solid footing with the goal in sight.
Nobody should be surprised in the slightest that Bridge Guy is moving quickly and not particularly troubled in that area. It's still normal to look down but I suspect if we had another second or two he'd have looked up. The timing and distance of Libby's video are so darn rotten luck sickening. Merely 10-15 feet closer and I think he's identified and nailed.
This Julie Melvin video from 3 weeks after the murders depicts the end of the bridge and that funnel aspect. Go to about 4:12 for that final 100 feet. I tried to link it there directly but for some reason it wouldn't take:
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