4 ms·

I love our Interstate Highways and wouldn't trade it for anything BUT why does it have to be 1 or the other. Why not both ? America can do it. I know we can.

mimixco 5y ago
Great comment. It's just not practical to have two systems. Too expensive. Too hard to get anyone to sign off on both. Both take a lot of public money and it's hard to get people to duplicate spending when the other thing is "working." Worse is better, to use software speak! I wouldn't trade our Interstate for anything, either and anyone who says that the roads outside of Paris are anything like US interstates just hasn't been on the latter. Anyway, I also love European trains and have spent lots of time on those. The benefits of going from Métro in France for a day trip to Belgium, then back to Paris in time for dinner is just fabulous. No car. No luggage. That is simply not happening in the US.
- Symbiote 5y ago
  This is next-level American exceptionalism. Here's a random bit of French motorway, not radiating from Paris, and a random bit of interstate. I don't see any difference. A89 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DfPWAMrsm4J4R3QQ8 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DfPWAMrsm4J4R3QQ8 I70 https://maps.app.goo.gl/r34MPasPfxn6XTUg6 https://maps.app.goo.gl/r34MPasPfxn6XTUg6
  - mimixco 5y ago
    I accept that accusation with exceptional American pride. I think everyone should be proud of the unique features of his or her country and how they led to its history. I love your definitely non-random town selection in the US. Excellent. My comment was aimed at the overall level of standardization and features of the American interstate, as well as its early and pivotal development in our country's history. That's all. It was not a slight at anyone else's roadways, however exceptional.
supertrope 5y ago
Desirable land is finite. Tax dollars are finite. Time is finite. Americans have spent generations and trillions of dollars building highways, roads, and parking to make driving really convenient. Every acre used for highways and parking is an acre that can’t be used for train stations, apartments, and fully grade separated bike roads. Any discussion on reallocating some land or dollars to alternative transportation is immediately rejected by the car dependent majority. “Why should a portion of gasoline tax go toward public transportation?” “Bike lines increase traffic!” “The new development would change the neighborhood character!” “Add more lanes!”

mimixco 5y ago

Great comment. It's just not practical to have two systems. Too expensive. Too hard to get anyone to sign off on both. Both take a lot of public money and it's hard to get people to duplicate spending when the other thing is "working." Worse is better, to use software speak! I wouldn't trade our Interstate for anything, either and anyone who says that the roads outside of Paris are anything like US interstates just hasn't been on the latter. Anyway, I also love European trains and have spent lots of time on those. The benefits of going from Métro in France for a day trip to Belgium, then back to Paris in time for dinner is just fabulous. No car. No luggage. That is simply not happening in the US.

Symbiote 5y ago
This is next-level American exceptionalism. Here's a random bit of French motorway, not radiating from Paris, and a random bit of interstate. I don't see any difference. A89 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DfPWAMrsm4J4R3QQ8 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DfPWAMrsm4J4R3QQ8 I70 https://maps.app.goo.gl/r34MPasPfxn6XTUg6 https://maps.app.goo.gl/r34MPasPfxn6XTUg6
- mimixco 5y ago
  I accept that accusation with exceptional American pride. I think everyone should be proud of the unique features of his or her country and how they led to its history. I love your definitely non-random town selection in the US. Excellent. My comment was aimed at the overall level of standardization and features of the American interstate, as well as its early and pivotal development in our country's history. That's all. It was not a slight at anyone else's roadways, however exceptional.

supertrope 5y ago

Desirable land is finite. Tax dollars are finite. Time is finite. Americans have spent generations and trillions of dollars building highways, roads, and parking to make driving really convenient. Every acre used for highways and parking is an acre that can’t be used for train stations, apartments, and fully grade separated bike roads. Any discussion on reallocating some land or dollars to alternative transportation is immediately rejected by the car dependent majority. “Why should a portion of gasoline tax go toward public transportation?” “Bike lines increase traffic!” “The new development would change the neighborhood character!” “Add more lanes!”