Why America can’t build (palladiummag.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the challenges of building infrastructure in the US, using the example of the Sepulveda Pass Freeway Expansion Project in Los Angeles, which was completed over a year behind schedule and 55% over budget. The project's difficulties were caused by a combination of factors, including poor planning, bureaucratic delays, and lawsuits from local groups. The article argues that these problems are representative of a broader failure in the US to build and manage large infrastructure projects. This failure is attributed to a range of issues, including a lack of institutional expertise, overly complex regulatory processes, and a culture of NIMBYism.

Main themes

• infrastructure development
• urban planning
• public transportation
• bureaucratic inefficiency
• NIMBYism
• government institutional capacity
• transportation policy
• construction management

What commenters say

• Investing in public transportation can reduce traffic congestion and benefit both drivers and non-drivers.
• The US should prioritize building high-density public transportation to reduce reliance on cars and alleviate traffic.
• The existence of public transportation does not force individuals to use it, but rather provides an option that can benefit everyone, including those who prefer to drive.
• The need for a car is not a matter of personal freedom, but rather a result of poor urban planning and lack of alternative transportation options.
• The cost of building and maintaining infrastructure is not just a matter of funding, but also of effective management and institutional capacity.
• NIMBYism and bureaucratic red tape are significant obstacles to building infrastructure in the US.
• Paying consultants and employees competitive salaries could help attract and retain better talent in government organizations.
• Building infrastructure is not just about funding, but also about creating a culture that values and prioritizes it.