Asian countries do not have union labor - a big factor that lowers construction costs and allows their transportation networks to expand much more quickly than ours.
Chicago also has a problem with cronyism, where contractors with political connections tend to get the biggest civil projects.
Finally, restrictions on construction send costs through the roof, as construction on certain projects only takes place at night to pose minimal slowdowns to traffic.
There are many other factors too, but those are the biggest ones. I too am frustrated by the high cost of civil projects (and therefore the huge political challenge in finding money for them).
__________________
la forme d'une ville change plus vite, hélas! que le coeur d'un mortel...
Last edited by ardecila; Jun 14, 2009 at 3:35 AM.
|