Not all commutes are created equal

[ChargerCarl]

Originally Posted by JManc

I don't think you can use China as an example to highlight our failures; Europe and Japan, yes. When China wants to build a transit system, highway or entire city, there are no public hearings or referendums on budgets, land use or proposals, the government unilaterally decides what, when, where and how things will be built and that's it. Very efficient but totally incompatible with how do things here in the US.

What China's done is impressive, but they're about average when you compare them to Europe, Japan, and South Korea. The US is the outlier in terms of how much we suck at building infrastructure.

I think it's more of a question of common vs civil law countries, rather than authoritarianism vs democracy. Other common law Anglophone countries struggle with infrastructure as well (although the US truly rises above the rest when it comes to awfulness).

[JManc]

Originally Posted by ChargerCarl

What China's done is impressive, but they're about average when you compare them to Europe, Japan, and South Korea. The US is the outlier in terms of how much we suck at building infrastructure.

I think it's more of a question of common vs civil law countries, rather than authoritarianism vs democracy. Other common law Anglophone countries struggle with infrastructure as well (although the US truly rises above the rest when it comes to awfulness).

We don't suck at building infrastructure; we built the Hoover Dam, the Interstate System, dug the Panama Canal, TVA, Brooklyn/ Golden Gate bridges...I could go on...we just really suck at prioritizing now.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by JManc

We don't suck at building infrastructure; we built the Hoover Dam, the Interstate System, dug the Panama Canal, TVA, Brooklyn/ Golden Gate bridges...I could go on...we just really suck at prioritizing now.

all of that stuff was 50 years ago +.

[L41A]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

all of that stuff was 50 years ago +.

The operative word is "now". He did say we suck at prioritizing now.

[ChargerCarl]

Originally Posted by L41A

The operative word is "now". He did say we suck at prioritizing now.

I don't think thats it. It's not an issue of money, its that we can't manage projects.

[L41A]

Originally Posted by JManc

We don't suck at building infrastructure; we built the Hoover Dam, the Interstate System, dug the Panama Canal, TVA, Brooklyn/ Golden Gate bridges...I could go on...we just really suck at prioritizing now.

Agree

[dc_denizen]

There do seem to be a lot of bridges being built or renovated recently in NYC.

New Goethals bridge
Pulaski skyway renovations
New tappan zee bridge
New Pulaski bridge on bqe

Hopefully new Amtrak tunnels soon?

[JManc]

Originally Posted by ChargerCarl

I don't think thats it. It's not an issue of money, its that we can't manage projects.

I never questioned the money aspect of it, we definitely have the money but there's little political or public will to invest in it...except to repair a collapsed bridge.

[mhays]

Some places are willing to invest in themselves, and some places not so much. It comes down to patriotism in my opinion...does love for country extend to when your country needs money.