3 ms·
> What is going on in the U.S. that we can't do this stuff? Strong property rights, NIMBY local democracy with the good and bad that implies, free speech where
by rendall 4y ago
> What is going on in the U.S. that we can't do this stuff?
Strong property rights, NIMBY local democracy with the good and bad that implies, free speech whereby this is all discussed by everyone with an opinion about it whether or not it's uninformed, that kind of thing.
Personally, I'd rather have the US style even though it's inefficient when it comes to HSR.
- bmitc 4y ago20 years is a long time and basically means it will never happen by that fact alone. The Green Line extension for Boston's MBTA has taken 16 years and still isn't done and has cost several billion dollars. It was discussed even longer than that. New York's subway systems experience the same delays and costs. It's embarrassing. Free speech, land/property rights, etc. are important, but they are just excuses, as they don't seem to be the things actually slowing down these projects.
- rendall 4y ago> Free speech, land/property rights, etc. are important, but they are just excuses, as they don't seem to be the things actually slowing down these projects. Why do you say that? What is slowing them down?
- midoridensha 4y agoUtterly broken politics at all levels, plus a ton of corruption.
- rendall 4y agoCould you dive in a bit? What is "broken"? How does the corruption manifest?
- midoridensha 4y agoI don't have a link handy but there's been a bunch of articles discussing how corrupt, for instance, the construction industry in NYC is and why this results in construction costs (like for subways) that are many times higher than anyplace else in the world. I don't think I really need to go into detail about how broken US politics are. January 6, 2021 is proof of this.
- llampx 4y agoIts mostly car culture in the US that is to blame. The freeway network in the US would have had the same problems but it was pushed through due to political will.
- rendall 4y agoAgreed.