Private companies were able to build an entire network of railways in the US. But now, with all the new technology the modern world is able to offer, both companies and government struggle to build even a single railway. how is this even possible?
In: Economics
I’m sure there is a lot of complexity in a true answer but I would assume it boils down to matter of land ownership and regulations.
Who owns the land verses who needs/wants the railway and who ultimately is tasked with getting it. If land is private and the gov is funding then gov will try to buy but can eventually imminent domain it and forcefully take it for market value. If it’s a private company then they are stuck having to buy the land or areas around the land.
Then we get into railway regulations, what kind of trains, cargo, tracks will be laid? What kind of land are we building on? What animals and eco system are nearby, is anything endangered? Will this be a risk to the ecosystem or citizens nearby? So on and so forth.
I would assume you could look at all the stuff on the oil pipeline that was just cancelled for a similar situation.
Latest Answers