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Can you name any capital projects in the last 30 years where the US government did a great job of a) controlling costs, b) meeting the stated design goal, c) on

Can you name any capital projects in the last 30 years where the US government did a great job of a) controlling costs, b) meeting the stated design goal, c) on time?

Spooky23 4y ago
A few that come to mind: - Alaskan Way Viaduct - Tappan Zee bridge replacement - Billions in highway projects.
- cpwright 4y ago
  I might not hold up the new Tappan Zee Bridge as a beacon of meeting design goals. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/mario-cuomo-bridge-structural-problems-covered-up-15594755.php https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/mario-cuomo-bridge-s...
pyuser583 4y ago
I’m very happy with the massive road construction and maintenance in my area.
- tomohawk 4y ago
  I have a family member who was an engineer in the Federal Highway Administration for many years. The amount of waste and excess cost on these projects is really hard to exagerate. Comparative costs to other OECD countries for similar infrastructure - there really isn't one, as the US is way out of line in terms of cost and quality. My family member communicated with counterparts in other countries, impressed with what they were doing. When asked what the research was that they based their projects on, they all said it was the US funded research (which the US doesn't take advantage of).
  - pyuser583 4y ago
    The roads I’m talking about aren’t federal highways (“I-*”). I’m sure the interstate highway system is the best the 1950s has to offer.
    - Godel_unicode 4y ago
      If you’re not talking about federal roads then I don’t think your comment is relevant to a discussion of US Government projects.
pyrale 4y ago
Maybe you should stop electing people whose campaign talk is that US agencies are a big mess? I mean, these people basically gain popularity when government is shown to be inefficient, but at the same time, they're the ones tasked with running the government.

Can you name any capital projects in the last 30 years where the US government did a great job of a) controlling costs, b) meeting the stated design goal, c) on time?

Spooky23 4y ago

A few that come to mind: - Alaskan Way Viaduct - Tappan Zee bridge replacement - Billions in highway projects.

cpwright 4y ago
I might not hold up the new Tappan Zee Bridge as a beacon of meeting design goals. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/mario-cuomo-bridge-structural-problems-covered-up-15594755.php https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/mario-cuomo-bridge-s...

pyuser583 4y ago

I’m very happy with the massive road construction and maintenance in my area.

tomohawk 4y ago
I have a family member who was an engineer in the Federal Highway Administration for many years. The amount of waste and excess cost on these projects is really hard to exagerate. Comparative costs to other OECD countries for similar infrastructure - there really isn't one, as the US is way out of line in terms of cost and quality. My family member communicated with counterparts in other countries, impressed with what they were doing. When asked what the research was that they based their projects on, they all said it was the US funded research (which the US doesn't take advantage of).
- pyuser583 4y ago
  The roads I’m talking about aren’t federal highways (“I-*”). I’m sure the interstate highway system is the best the 1950s has to offer.
  - Godel_unicode 4y ago
    If you’re not talking about federal roads then I don’t think your comment is relevant to a discussion of US Government projects.

pyrale 4y ago

Maybe you should stop electing people whose campaign talk is that US agencies are a big mess? I mean, these people basically gain popularity when government is shown to be inefficient, but at the same time, they're the ones tasked with running the government.