I don't think it necessarily has to be about kickbacks - it's also about acclaim and reputation? In software, you talk about a project you headed or a new feat

I don't think it necessarily has to be about kickbacks - it's also about acclaim and reputation? In software, you talk about a project you headed or a new feature you developed when you're looking at promotions. In a political career, a new bridge or a new project has more advantages than simply upkeeping an old one for basically the same reason - it can be associated with you specifically in a stronger way, you can talk about it as an accomplishment to more people. "I funded repairs so this bridge didn't fall" is a lot more of a non event, at least until the bridge actually falls and someone has to be blamed.