Political involvement goes even higher that the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. For example, some believe that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s application for a 49% TIFIA loan for replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge may have gained traction recently because of Cuomo’s aggressive stance on gun control, supporting President’s Obama’s national program.

Cuomo almost certainly will get a TIFIA loan, once he finishes selling the selected bridge design to voters. The question is how soon and whether or not he gets the 49% loan he needs to buy down the starting toll enough to keep it within political reach.