Two long-time state bridge projects could face cash shortfalls caused by national financial problems, including the widening of the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish.
The cash crunch could also hit construction of a new Mississippi River bridge linking New Roads to St. Francisville. The State Bond Commission was told of that impending problem last week.
The economic crisis has dried up the market for the municipal bonds that were supposed to go on the market in December to pay the bridges' continuing construction costs.
Plus, drivers are cutting back on driving time amid high gasoline prices, so the state's gas tax income is coming in lower than expected.