Dubai has an entire active operation. It looks like it does work, but how well is debated. Seems to have enough of an impact (correlation or causation) that they haven't shut it down yet.

Governments spending money on something doesn't mean it works. Bridges to nowhere are totally a thing

> Bridges to nowhere are totally a thing

Come on now. It's not nowhere, there's 24 people living on that island, of course that's worth building a $45 million bridge for them[1].

(just the latest silly bridge project here in Norway)

[1]: https://www.nrk.no/nordland/nordland-fylkesrad-vil-bygge-bro...

Autotranslaton:

> However, there are only 24 permanent residents and five active farms on Hamnøya. Therefore, there is regular transport of tankers, concentrate feed and livestock trucks.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamn%C3%B8ya,_Vevelstad

> Hamnøya is an island in Vevelstad Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The 16.6-square-kilometre (6.4 sq mi) island lies about 500 to 700 metres (0.3 to 0.4 mi) off shore from the mainland of the municipality, separated by the Vevelstadsundet strait. The island is only accessible by boat and in 2021 it had 35 permanent residents living on the island.

I'm not sure if it's cheaper to upgrade both posts, but a bridge doesn't look so silly.

It's at least better value than the once-proposed ~$400 million Gravina Island bridge in Alaska -- to serve 50 residents and an airport

Yeah, because Dubai is known for their prudent financials. Lol.