re: Why is there no longer any political will for big public works projects?

Louisiana will always be shite

That's pretty much all you need to know

IMO, infrastructure in general seems to take a backseat while focusing on issues that government needs to spend less time on, however; those issues are the things used to sell fear, etc to the general public.

Infrastructure related issues isn't something that people are divided on.. Well, there are differences when it comes to how to do what and where it needs to be done, but its not controversial. It isn't something that touches people emotions and will get them out to vote.

So instead of focusing on something like infrastructure, including big public works projects, which I think is extremely important because of how significant it is (I am talking about our interstates, hwys.. and focusing on ways to create shorter paths to different locations, expanding interstates, design ways in which 18 wheelers can travel without having to be on the same road as "residential vehicles".

Build new bridges (throughout the country).

This is a site that shows the top 15 states with the most dangerous bridges.. And the percentage of bridges that are structurally deficient.

BTW Louisiana has the 10th most dangerous bridges.
LINK

But when it comes to things like this and government, nothing will really get done until something happens because everyone is more worried about shite like whether the government should tell people whether or not they can have abortions, etc, etc