I spent years driving around (+20 minutes per trip) a pair of bridges that were taken out near Natchez. This statewide bridge closure, coinciding with doing my taxes, gives mde am idea. How about starting bank accounts for each bridge, where those affected by a closure can pay into, deferring their state tax contributions. This will get money where it is needed and remove the power from the legislature. Draws cannot be made on an account until they have enough money to complete the project. Taxes (either income or property) can be deferred so if you pay more than your annual commitment you don't lose credit for it. Businesses should also have opportunity to sponsor bridges since their bottom lines are at stake. Entities need to be located in the same county as the bridge(s) they sponser. The contributors should be able to vote amongst themselves on how their projects should proceed.

I watched as two solid bridges were condemned, their approaches dug out, and left to rot for years. It took three years to replace them. Five hundred and forty two bridges will take decades for our current government structure to fix, if they ever all get fixed.

Leave it to locals to fix their bridges, I bet it will get done faster.