'How California's Bullet Train Went Off the Rails' (New York Times)

[Dilandu]

The funny thing is that with big government .... in China, everyone just build a lot of infrastructure (a good number economically unviable) while everyone steals money as part of construction.

China authorities are content with money being stolen, as long as work is being adequately done.

US authorities are content with money being stolen, as long as money being stolen.

Sorry)

 

[publiusr]

There is that. There, idealists worship procedure over progress.

 

[shin_getter]

China authorities are content with money being stolen, as long as work is being adequately done.

US authorities are content with money being stolen, as long as money being stolen.

No no, you don't get it. Certain US voters/interest group see that in agency 1 money can potentially be stolen, so they demand a agency 2 to audit and oversight agency 1. But what if money gets stolen in agency 2? Obviously you start agency 3 to audit and oversight agency 2. But what if money gets stolen in agency 3? Well, that is where agency 4 comes in....

What, there are too many agencies? Obviously you start a meta agency to organize and coordinate everything, can't leave anything uncontrolled, PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN~

 

[EmoBirb]

Corruption aside, the issue high speed rail faces in the US is that the country is very car centered and has a very powerful automotive lobby. Americans consider the personal vehicle (preferably an oversized SUV or Pickup Truck) as the ultimate mode of transportation, followed by the plane.

The rest of the world, especially Europe and East Asia but also other regions, have seen the light and robust rail networks for passenger transportation as well as high speed rail networks in particular. HSR just makes a whole lot of sense for travel between large urban centers in a specific region. Although here in Germany for example the ICE (InterCity Express) network basically connects all large cities across the country.

 

[alberchico]

No no, you don't get it. Certain US voters/interest group see that in agency 1 money can potentially be stolen, so they demand a agency 2 to audit and oversight agency 1. But what if money gets stolen in agency 2? Obviously you start agency 3 to audit and oversight agency 2. But what if money gets stolen in agency 3? Well, that is where agency 4 comes in....

What, there are too many agencies? Obviously you start a meta agency to organize and coordinate everything, can't leave anything uncontrolled, PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN~

100 years ago the United States did have a more leaner efficient method of accomplishing major infrastructure projects. But then tyrants like Robert Moses started appearing who began tearing down entire neighborhoods to ram highways through it without consulting the public and that inevitably turned people against progress. So all of the regulatory hurdles that large projects have to deal with today are a direct response to the abuses that were committed many decades ago. The book that covers Robert Moses life is a very good read if you have an interest in urban planning.( albeit a bit long)

Review 225: The Power Broker

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro Yes, it’s been a little while. Thank you for your patience. I decided to read The Power Broker mainly because of the ser…

thelablib.org

Jumping forward to the present day, labor unions also yield enormous influence, and can slow down projects and push them over budget by insisting to outdated work ruled being observed knowing that politicians won't risk fighting them over it. Which is why NYC's recent subway extension was absurdly expensive.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/nyregion/new-york-subway-construction-costs.html

 

[Hydroman]

The Brightline West high-speed rail project is off and running which will connect LA with Las Vegas. The Brightline project in Florida, the initial legs were on-schedule and budget plus the final legs I think are in process but don't quote me on that. Nevada has their act together and hopefully CA doesn't screw it up just like our state high-speed rail to nowhere. The CA HSR is not getting any USG funding (thank god for that, it would just get pissed away).

EmoBirb's comments regarding Europe and assessment regarding the US "car culture" is correct, everything is spread out, especially in CA. Also in major US cities, people would probably ride public rail more if it wasn't for all of the violent, crazy people running around, average people don't want to shot, stabbed, beat up, etc. I have traveled by rail in Europe and Japan, it's great!