High runway costs have forced the New Jersey’s governor to dismiss a $9 billion train tunnel.
In Honolulu, Hawaii’s outgoing governor is harboring doubts whether to go ahead with the proposed $5.5 billion railway line.

Across many states, many infrastructure projects are on the drawing board, awaiting the right blend of financial, political and timing to go ahead with projects that could be of great benefit to the states. A sluggish economy and the rising political candidates who are not for big spending directly influence this process and thus, a long wait for infrastructure development.

Seems the U.S is not willing to look into the long-term effects and benefits of bit public work projects at a time when other countries are focusing on their core industries.

A University of Denver professor and transport expert, Andrew Goetz, stated that people’s perception has changed, they view the funds delegated to big projects as a waste of money and this is wrong. He stated high profile projects receive publicity, while other infrastructure projects, which are justified, are tarnishing all the same.

Another is a bridge in Alaska that would have costs hundreds of millions of dollars to connect a town in Alaska to a low populated island. It was put on the spotlight in the 2008 presidential election, where Sarah Palin was critiqued for backing the plan initially, and the plan was later scrapped.

An example of Boston’s big dig, a highway and tunnel project, was originally projected to cost less than $3 billion and ended up costing nearly $15 billion. The benefits however, made it easier for motorists to and from the Boston’s airport, with added advantages of eliminating an elevated highway.

Most construction projects have been plagued by years of corruption, delays and poor workmanship that have resulted in the death of motorists.

The Treasury Department and the Council of Economic Advisers have released a report depicting the need for improvements in infrastructure. However, the commitment to allocate the funds to improve aging infrastructure is wanting.

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