Why is there this asymmetrical demand that only high-speed rail needs to be “economically viable“? Roads don’t get this demand: tolls and gas taxes don’t even c

Why is there this asymmetrical demand that only high-speed rail needs to be “economically viable“? Roads don’t get this demand: tolls and gas taxes don’t even come close to paying for their upkeep, and nobody cares because a transportation network is a public good where accurately billing for upkeep is worth a lot less than the societal benefits.