68 billion dollar high speed rail from LA to San Fran... (Los Angeles: rental car, rental)

[darkeconomist]

Originally Posted by MPLS_TC

I support high speed rail but california has not the money and this is not the time.

Well, Jet A isn't getting any cheaper and the skies aren't getting bigger. If we're still to get around, we need new options. Something needs to be done. Given how crowded important freight rail routes are, and how passenger rail and freight have been sharing tracks, it makes sense to build independent passenger routes.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by darkeconomist

Well, Jet A isn't getting any cheaper and the skies aren't getting bigger. If we're still to get around, we need new options. Something needs to be done. Given how crowded important freight rail routes are, and how passenger rail and freight have been sharing tracks, it makes sense to build independent passenger routes.

What is the choo choo to nowhere going to run on, wishful thinking?

[DarkWolf]

Either begin to build it now , or run into serious congestion issues down the road....by 2050 the regions with good Rail Networks , Good Water Access , aswell In't Trade Connections will do well. The regions who waited intill it was too late will suffer....



--------------2000 - 2025 - 2050 Population

Greats Lakes : 54.1 - 64.7 - 71.6 Million
Northeastern Megapolis : 49.5 - 58.1 - 75.8 Million
Southern California : 24.9 - 34.8 - 39.3 Million
Texas Triangle : 16.5 - 26.8 - 38.1 Million
Florida : 14.7 - 21.4 - 31.5 Million
Piedmont Atlantic : 14.9 - 20.5 - 31.9 Million
Northern California : 12.7 - 17.3 - 21.1 Million
Gulf Coast : 11.7 - 15.8 - 23.6 Million
Cascadia : 10.2 - 14.5 - 24.6 Million
Arizona Sun Corridor : 5.7 - 7.4 - 12.3 Million
Front Range : 4.7 - 6.8 - 10.5 Million


United States Population in 2000 : 281.4 Million
Urbanized Suburban and Urban Population in 2000 : 219 Million
Public Transit Usage in 2000 : 15 Million

United States Population in 2010 : 308.7 Million
Urbanized Suburban and Urban Population in 2010 : 250 Million
Public Transit Usage in 2010 : 34 Million

United States Population by 2025 : 340 Million
Urbanized Suburban and Urban Population by 2025 : 286.5 Million
Public Transit Usage by 2025 : 68 Million

United States Population by 2050 : 440 Million
Urbanized Suburban and Urban Population by 2050 : 380 Million
Public Transit Usage by 2050 : 280 Million

[BeauCharles]

It is a lot of money and it does worry me, but recessions (even this one) don't last forever. Projects of this scale aren't built overnight and take decades of planning, financial commitment and work. The economy will wax and wane during that time, but it doesn't mean we should just stand still, plan for nothing and make no commitment to our infrastructure. The nearest parallel is the Interstate Highway System and I'm very glad Eisenhower pushed so hard to get the funding passed. Some decried it as a boondoggle, but I'd hate to see the country without it.

[scrantiX]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

Cancel Now Cali , so we Northeastern can show you how to build HSR...

You sound jealous. Let me guess you live in one of those states fighting for scraps to fund your little toy trains

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by scrantiX

You sound jealous. Let me guess you live in one of those states fighting for scraps to fund your little toy trains

Actually the NYC region is very pampered with Federal $$$...same with DC...everyone else fights for scraps. Over the past decade this region has received close to 35 Billion for Transit Expansions and replacements with 6 Billion under construction and 15-25 Billion planned by 2025 mostly federal we always get what we want. The only problem is the various agencies need to align for that to happen like with our latest Mega Project. Feds also picked up 60% the bill for our new Trains which if you add them all up it comes out to 3.7 Billion $$ worth or 3,585 cars.

[Think4Yourself]

If you build it, they will come.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

1. What CAVA1990 said

2. I never expressed support or opposition to the high speed rail project ... I merely said: not to worry if California did get some federal support for the project ... California is as entitled to federal money as much as any other state ... and perhaps a bit more so than many ... due to the fact that California gives the feds more dollars than it gets back -- unlike many other states, which California is thus supporting ...

Get it now?

Having a cranky day are we, Chief? I have those ... ... speaking for myself, I love prunes ...

1. Always thought the Iraqi and Afghani debaucles were just that. Didn't/doesn't matter who the CIC was/is.

2. Always have a cranky day when there's no balance, especially in the people's checkbook. Remember well the hooting, hollering and finger-pointing about a certain bridge to nowherem Small potatoes compared to a high-speed train to nowhere and nary sound or at least not much of one. Shows just how stupidly and vapidly partisan the sheeple can be.

Sunsweet prunes rule!

[CAVA1990]

You also need to factor in the benefits you'll get from the growth that will occur around the mid-point cities due to better transportation. It's quite possible the government's expenditure will be recouped indirectly through the additional tax revenues generated from those areas.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You also need to factor in the benefits you'll get from the growth that will occur around the mid-point cities due to better transportation. It's quite possible the government's expenditure will be recouped indirectly through the additional tax revenues generated from those areas.

Possible and I hope so. But likely also time-limited. That would be too bad.

Gonna be interesting whichever way it goes.