Build a New Hudson River Tunnel - A Thread that Will Anger Left and Right (border, dollars)
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Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbgusa
What does that have to do with anything? A corruption investigation of the DoD would involve some real security risks? And the need for clearance is frankly what diminishes competition for military goods.
A fine excuse!
The only requirements to be POTUS are age and citizenship and he/she gets a clearance, are we really supposed to believe that qualified outside auditors can't be found who wouldn't also qualify for clearance?
Today's NY Times editorial, Build a New Hudson River Tunnel discusses the need for a new rail tunnel to protect against what Senator Chuck Schumer calls "“a regional transportation Armageddon.” As the editorial describes it "(t)he first step would be a meeting of all parties that would benefit from the project, including representatives from Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, the states of New Jersey and New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the federal government and Congress. Each of these institutions will have to participate, and each will eventually 'write a check.'" There is a sorely missing group of parties here the construction unions, the governmental officials in charge of "poverty" programs and "community organizers.
While Tappan Zee litigation continues relating to "the wage difference between carpenters and dock builders" where "(c)arpenters are paid $70.11 per hour, compared with dock builders that make $92.47 per hour" no consideration is given to a "workfare" program where benefits recipients would apprentice and be paid, say, $22 an hour to learn a trade and $40-$45 per our when working at these trades. The cost numbers of $20 billion to build these tunnels and related train station improvements is eye-popping and ultimately unfeasible. No matter how badly needed nothing is going to get built at those figures.
There are other projects just as urgently needed. New York needs at least one more water tunnel, so the existing three water tunnels can be shut down seriatim and rebuilt. Again labor costs are prohibitive. Other gold-plating on these projects needs to be removed, but all must participate. These projects must happen and the costs must be made bearable.
The projects must happen - and you know who should pay the bulk of it?
That's right ..... the citizens of NJ and NY.
Although I have no problem with this being part of an overall infrastructure spending plan.
I'd add Va, Md, Delaware, Ct, Ma, NH, VT, and Maine also.
The ACELA belt will benefit in full.
Also a surcharge should be added from Florida North on Amtrak, for passengers connecting to service North.
I see you left PA out of it.
Although the trains do run through Philly, so if PA has to contribute, along with all of those other states you listed -- I'm ok with that.
The only requirements to be POTUS are age and citizenship and he/she gets a clearance, are we really supposed to believe that qualified outside auditors can't be found who wouldn't also qualify for clearance?
I meant suppliers having clearance. Little competition for that reason.
I see you left PA out of it.
Although the trains do run through Philly, so if PA has to contribute, along with all of those other states you listed -- I'm ok with that.
$22hr to LEARN a trade? Give me a freaking break. Most people who attempt to learn quit once the going gets tough - eg...the foreman yelled at me so I'm quitting.
You have to adjust entry wages to the cost of livinig in an area. Do you think you could live in New York near the City on $22 an hour gross? If so, let me know how. I'd love to live there.
The projects must happen - and you know who should pay the bulk of it?
That's right ..... the citizens of NJ and NY.
Although I have no problem with this being part of an overall infrastructure spending plan.
Other cities are investing heavily in their infrastructure and New York also needs to invest, the recent New York Subway problems being a case in point.
If London and Paris can afford to spend vast amounts on projects such as Grand Paris Express and Crossrail then New York should be able to soend a similar amount in order to secure it's place as one of the great global cities.
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