Public infrastructure of Cali vs other states (San Jose, Palo Alto: how much, transfer)

[kyle242]

Highways,
Airports,
public transit
etc

How do they compare to other states? I lived in Illinois (Chicagoland) and moved recently to California (Bay Area). In Illinois roads, highways were in very bad shape but in recent years have dramatically improved. However highways are little narrow expect in the city limit for metro area that big, especially considering I 290 has for most part only 3 lanes. No HOV, HOT lanes but there are tollways throughout most areas. Airports, O'hare and Midway I believe are decent and catching up with modernization. As for congestion and delays at O'hare it still has long way to go but its getting closer. Of course there is this weather factor but lets just focus on controllable factors by people. Public transit is decent and spread out but there are some areas where you better off with car and in western suburbs you cannot anywhere without a car. As for shipping I noticed, most of those are delivered by trucks and you notice a lot of trucks on road all the time. And as for rail, well chicago being's rail hub it has trains suburban and intercity going everywhere. You can can catch train from Chicago to St Louis and be there in 6 hours.

Now for California. First major difference and shock to me was noticing a lack of street lighting on highways, even on many interchanges where they are supposed to be on. On other hand, they use reflective bot dots that helps at night but many sections are worn out and interchanges, ramps at night are dangerous.

While some sections highways seemed to have smooth surfaces, I noticed majority in Bay Area is made of old cracked concrete and in many areas its very bumpy to drive, especially on section of I280 near Palo Alto/Stanford. Its just unbelievable that high affluent areas would have highway infrastructure so behind. On other hand highways have more lines and handle traffic better but it still results in huge congestions because many more people drive here than take public transit. But on good side I noticed, there is a much less truck traffic with long trails probably due to smaller ramps and close access to sea cargo. I do not know how highways LA area compares but have seen some constructions there last year which might suggest it should catch up.

As for Airports, SFO impressed and listed high on my list, above O'hare for modern, clean facilities, amenities. Then there is also SJC that is great for domestic. However, I was disgusted at LAX when I transferred through a terminal that looked like a bus stop, dirty with stinky bathrooms and only food burger king or mediocre overpriced sandwich, lack of charges. Even look at LAX website, it still looks like made in 1998.

As for public transit, I noticed its much less extensive in California whether local or intercity but I noticed in Bay Area in suburbs, especially in San Jose public transport is better developed than in Chicago suburbs.

[DMenscha]

I give your post a "so what" on the how much do I care scale.

Everywhere is a different place. We do it our way, other places do it their way.

Personally, how it's done in the rest of the world is no matter to me.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I give your post a "so what" on the how much do I care scale.

Everywhere is a different place. We do it our way, other places do it their way.

Personally, how it's done in the rest of the world is no matter to me.

This is the main problem of America. Nobody cares about what others have done in other parts of the world.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

This is the main problem of America. Nobody cares about what others have done in other parts of the world.

Ain't that the truth! But it may be more of a CA issue than an American issue. Why, they might actually be able to learn something. How horrible!

[Wilson502]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I give your post a "so what" on the how much do I care scale.

Everywhere is a different place. We do it our way, other places do it their way.

Personally, how it's done in the rest of the world is no matter to me.

And you wonder why the US and CA are on a decline....... Thats like saying, ya screw other places that may do things better! Were CA we do things our own stupid way!

[kyle242]

Thats like if i made comparision between any major city in the US and Hong Kong and told they have airline concierge services in subways where you can check in for flight and your baggage before getting onto express train to airport. How cool was that if we had that here. And then you get response we dont care!

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by kyle242

First major difference and shock to me was noticing a lack of street lighting on highways, even on many interchanges where they are supposed to be on.

Sorry, but I'm all for wanting to save energy and to reduce light pollution, so I can see the stars once in a while.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by kyle242

Now for California. First major difference and shock to me was noticing a lack of street lighting on highways, even on many interchanges where they are supposed to be on. On other hand, they use reflective bot dots that helps at night but many sections are worn out and interchanges, ramps at night are dangerous.

And that my friend is why they put lights on the front of cars. I don't need street lights when I drive at night.

[CarawayDJ]

As I've moved around the US I've paid varying amounts of taxes from low to high and everything in-between. This thread reminds me of a question I've often asked. Why did I pay more taxes in CA than I do here in WA or did in FL, etc? What is the noticeable difference that makes one say "ahhh, that's where the money is going"? I never really see anything that stands out. Better infrastructure? Not that I can see. Not sure how much of it is paid by the feds anyway. Better primary schools? No. Cheaper college tuition? No. Better social programs? In some cases, but not any better than where I am now. The large population mostly bundled up in two areas makes me ask where the economies of scale are. Why doesn't CA either have the lowest taxes in the nation or something stellar to show such as free/cheap higher education, free healthcare, stellar public transportation, schools with the smallest class sizes, the smoothest roads in the nation, etc.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by CarawayDJ

Why doesn't CA either have the lowest taxes in the nation or something stellar to show such as free/cheap higher education, free healthcare, stellar public transportation, schools with the smallest class sizes, the smoothest roads in the nation, etc.

Having worked with, not for, and often against the Legislature for the better part of 20 years I think I can answer that. Out-of-control social, feel good spending and unfunded mandates coupled with union owned and operated politicians and runaway civil service wages, benefits and retirement packages.

Whew! That felt good.