[Islander7]

"...“If we can observe a Higgs boson decay, then we may be able to confirm what is called the Standard Model. Or we may discover that there are extra dimensions to space where only gravity can propagate. Or our observations may lead to something entirely new,” said Qian. '...Several billion more in funding will needed, we have careers to consider, you know....'

[CutePuppy]

Not unlike Manhattan Project, this may be one of a few times where taxpayers money might be appropriately and well spent by the government on pure science. Sheer size the and lack of obvious commercial applications pretty much preclude private financing. Certainly, cheaper and more appropriate than wasting taxpayers money on UAW bailout, and with more contribution to overall knowledge and eventual benefit to society, even if project “fails”.