Unfortunately, for historical reasons the US railroads are private and pay many sorts of taxes, and the roading industrial complex is largely publicly funded.

Unfortunately, for historical reasons the US railroads are private and pay many sorts of taxes, and the roading industrial complex is largely publicly funded. Many lines used to have double or quadruple or even electrification but are now single unpowered tracks, because the additional improvements counted towards property tax assessments. It's just not a level playing field.