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emaw63 t1_ircpy8j wrote

Reply to comment by skywrites8 in TIL the length of the US rail network is twice that of Europe by Pardon_my_baconess

Fucking infuriating too given how easy it is for cities to throw down a new highway through a neighborhood or to widen an existing one to 20 lanes. Can’t ever seem to make it work for rail though 🙃

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skywrites8 t1_ircri0v wrote

It's all about where the funding comes from- lots of funding for local highways. Not many want to go to bat with freight companies who rule the rail. Infuriating indeed :/

Also, highways were a very convenient way to keep black people out of white communities. Very important note in why the interstate system got so much support.

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dprophet32 t1_ire4vo8 wrote

Is there nothing in America that is above naked profiteering?

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