Can we build stuff like this?

The Corvallis Gazette Times ^ | March 29, 2008 | The Corvallis Gazette Times

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Another entry from the "Why Can't We Be More Like Europe" files...

[kc8ukw]

If we just imitating their beautiful bridges, I think that’s fine. Here’s a picture of the bridge mentioned: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/466149693_4cc446f8d8_o.jpg

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Nice! And to think, we can build that in only six years at only twice the cost!

[Old Professer]

[taxcontrol]

My recommendation:

Build the bridge with 4 to 6 lanes going each way. Charge a $1 each way or $2 toll to go into the City. Restrict the trucking traffic to the right two lanes.

Create two HOV lanes each way that allow the following at no charge:

buses
emergency vehicles
tow trucks
motorcycles
Vehicles with more than one person

Allow the use of transponder tolls for vehicles that are willing to pay $5 to use the HOV lanes with only one person. Establish a bus line to run over the bridge if there is not already one in existence.

Build the two center HOV lanes with enough structural support to retro fit a light rail should the city decide for that option in the future.

[metesky]

HOV lanes and light rail are both rips.

[DManA]

I disagree with the premise of the article. Of course we (there’s that infamous we again) could do this. It is a lack of imagination among the bureaucrats we give the power to make these decisions. Or else it is because the bureaucrats have incentives to make safe, ugly decisions.

[wideawake]

(1) It is a viaduct, not a bridge - a very different engineering and construction situation versus building a bridge over the powerful Columbia River.

(2) The Millau Viaduct was finished overbudget and behind schedule. Partway through construction they revised the budget and the schedule and it came in slightly ahead of the revised schedule.

[am452]

Europe is not funding a stupid as* war like we are. Funny what you can do with your infrastructure when you have an extra trillion dollars.

[DManA]

I’m curious, what is the difference between a viaduct and a bridge?

[Telepathic Intruder]

The image of this must cause an irresistible desire among a certain growing portion of the French community to blow it to smitherines.

[ottbmare]

Wow, how amazingly beautiful. If you have to have a man-made structure spanning a valley, those are spectacular. Most bridges are terribly ugly.

[wideawake]

Oh, and of course, the builders were given a 75 year concession to operate the toll plaza. At 15,000 trips per day and $5.60 a trip, that's $2.3B in projected revenues -and probably much more.

So the real cost of the viaduct was far higher than the $700M the builder was paid: the builder got an upfront payment of $700M plus toll rights worth several times that amount.

[wideawake]

I’m curious, what is the difference between a viaduct and a bridge?

A viaduct is over land. A bridge is over water.

[Thebaddog]

Cheaper. How do we know that?

[wideawake]

Europe is not funding a stupid as* war like we are.

Actually, our allies are spending plenty of money. Apparently cowardice and math skills don't go hand in hand.

Funny what you can do with your infrastructure when you have an extra trillion dollars.

Our intervention in Iraq has cost nowhere near that number.

No funds that were earmarked for infrastructure were ever diverted for the intervention.

Do you have any other silly Democrat talking points that I can explode?

[davisfh]

"Europe is not funding a stupid as* war like we are. Funny what you can do with your infrastructure when you have an extra trillion dollars."

I agree with you. Let's bring the war on terrorism to our own shores. That way, we'll be able to view the remains of some of our women and children. I like a lot of blood and guts and especially the blood and guts of innocent women and children. /s

[cripplecreek]

Wimpy. We build man's bridges.

[wideawake]

See post 13.

[ladtx]

Not exactly a montrous bridge but pretty neat glass bottomed observation deck at the Grand Canyon.