The bridge is absolutely necessary to the function of the fork. Without it to ensure that both struts compress together, they'll move independently rocking the front wheel left and right, flexing the axle, and possibly breaking the axle or skewer. Even with the bridge suspension forks are harder on QR hubs than rigid forks, that's why most have "lawyers lips" on both the inside and outside of the dropouts. Without the bridge it's an accident waiting for the right moment.
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