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Old 02-19-2011, 07:53 AM
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FYI - The companies involved in the Tampa-Orlando HSR project were offering guarantees against cost overruns. Why? Because they wanted this project to serve as an example. They had eyes on a Florida-wide build-out.

Projects like the Big Dig, to take a local-to-me example, had no such guarantees (partially because of the unknowns when the contracts were bid) and we all know what happened.

We DO know what it costs to build a building. Running the rail down the middle of I-4 means that, when I-4 was widened and room for the line reserved, we KNOW what kind of soil is there (no surprises like in Boston).

The talk of cancelling HSR projects is an example of getting caught up in sloganeering. We have a similar problem here in NH with the Republicans in the legislature wanting to disband a Rail Authority that has no budget (it's work is done by volunteer representatives).

That being said, I'd like to see municipal workers contribute more towards their benefits - and I say that as an employee of the Air Force. I have good benefits but I pay a LOT more for my health insurance, as an example.