Accurately　assessing　the　structural　integrity　of　cable-supported　bridges　hinges　upon　the　precise　determination　of　time-varying　cable　forces.　In　this　study,　a　novel　method　is　proposed　for　identifying　these　forces,　even　with　the　challenge　of　having　only　a　single　accelerometer　available.　Leveraging　an　improved　Multisynchrosqueezing　Transform　(IMST)　with　an　efficient　ridge　extraction　algorithm,　this　method　offers　a　robust　solution.　The　IMST　is　employed　to　construct　a　clearer　time-frequency　spectrum　based　on　the　monitored　acceleration　response　of　a　cable.　Subsequently,　the　time-frequency　ridge　extraction　algorithm　enables　the　derivation　of　the　cable＇s　instantaneous　frequency.　Ultimately,　the　time-varying　cable　forces　are　computed　by　using　the　axially　loaded　beam　theory　and　considering　the　influence　of　bending　stiffness.　Validations　through　a　numerical　benchmark　model　and　a　scaled　cable　testing　confirm　the　efficacy　of　this　approach.　Result　indicates　that　the　average　error　in　identifying　cable　forces　is　less　than　2.50%　in　the　numerical　simulation.　Moreover,　the　method　is　successfully　applied　to　a　real-world　bridge　scenario,　demonstrating　its　ability　to　accurately　evaluate　cable　forces　despite　having　access　to　only　a　single-point　noisy　acceleration　response.　©　2024　Elsevier　Ltd