Interesting reading!
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2021/07/the-gateway-project-costs-too-much-opinion.html
I wonder how much The Boring Company would charge to build it?
The article says "The U.S. also began using design-build contracting, which places more risk on private firms, generally increasing costs." I would guess this was in response to the cost overruns that seemed to plague previuos projects.
Flintlock76 Interesting reading! https://www.nj.com/opinion/2021/07/the-gateway-project-costs-too-much-opinion.html
Part of it is because it is NYC and that means there is a skim that goes right into coffers of the Mob. All construction projects in NYC are impacted by this and it increases construction costs over other cities.
Unionization in NYC along with unchallenged union related featherbedding practices also inflate costs there....
https://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/why-it-costs-so-much-build-anything-new-york-city-11146.html
CMStPnPPart of it is because it is NYC
And where is the Mob influence, bloated union influence, etc. for the Baltimore tunnel project?
I think nj.com is onto something with this Federal Amtrak pocketbook thing. But I think also that there's more to this story that could be, and needs to be, brought out and discussed.
Overmod CMStPnP Part of it is because it is NYC But this is already understood in the story -- note that the 'comps' are also railroad projects and well under the cost proposed for the remainder of Gateway. And where is the Mob influence, bloated union influence, etc. for the Baltimore tunnel project? I think nj.com is onto something with this Federal Amtrak pocketbook thing. But I think also that there's more to this story that could be, and needs to be, brought out and discussed.
CMStPnP Part of it is because it is NYC
But this is already understood in the story -- note that the 'comps' are also railroad projects and well under the cost proposed for the remainder of Gateway.
Ah yes - Mob influence on Unions. How about Mob influence on the 'Titans of Industry' that also have sticky fingers anywhere money is involved.
Corruption happens at all levels of a project wherever money is involved.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
There you go.
IMO the total amount is bloated however there are several items that boost the total price. Every item needed to make the track from NYP <> Newark Penn station a 4 track higher speed track seems to be just one part of total money figure.
Real estate acquisition, the tunnel bores themselves.
To digress the author seems to forget that the way the original tubes were built is not best practices today. Certainly not safety features. The cross connections every ~800 feet The original bores are subject to tidal changes which puts constant streaching of the cast iron tubes. New tubes will be bored under silt not floated in place and sunk into mud to connect together.
To continue; The work to get under 9th , 10th aves and environs is very expensive that was not a consideration for original tubes. This new work under cover not exposed as original tubes access was. Also the penetration of the flood wall has to be very careful.
Then you have disposal of spoil . How was original spoil disposed ? For the new tubes now it has to be RR out. Import of all construction items especialy TBMs . These new bores will probably have a 200 - 300 year life not the 130 years that are expired of the present bores.
Sawmill 4 track bridge replacement from present 2 main tracks. Portal north and Portal south with realignment of tracks and CPs for full access. Then you have the flyovers and other work around allied and Kearny to completely separate any conflict from NY direct <> Newark and Hoboken <> New York. That allows for either route to go to either route without blocking other route. Then the rebuilding of Dock draw under constant traffic Then the Seacacus loop inbound. Unknown to this poster how much track work and real estate required to build this loop.
Utility relocations that were not very many when original bores built. Those relocations and inserts to protect before any fill can be placed for the other 2 main tracks. Fill is in swamp land not the easiest and removal of what every has been dumped. Any bodies as well ?
IMO probably other ietms that have forgotten or not become aware of.
Slate contributor chimes in on expenses now that all of Gateway appears funded...
https://slate.com/business/2021/07/amtrak-infrastructure-bill-northeast-corridor-biden-high-speed-rail.html
Overmod Slate contributor chimes in on expenses now that all of Gateway appears funded... https://slate.com/business/2021/07/amtrak-infrastructure-bill-northeast-corridor-biden-high-speed-rail.html
Same old story, it's all chump change when it's other people's money.
But I'll bet you Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn screams bloody murder when he's in the supermarket and sees the prices of his favorite cuts of meat going up!
Or the price of gasolene.
Or the prices of anything else.
'Cause when it's coming out of your wallet...
Flintlock76'Cause when it's coming out of your wallet...
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