Railroad News and History

However, this is a government project. The government always buys from the lowest bidder. This is the kind of thing that happens with the low bid system.

When you buy things for your home do you always buy the very cheapest product you can find?

Ish

Msg 10 of 15 to Ishmael112Ishmael112

In reply toRe: msg 8

Staff

From: WALTER784

Jun-8

Ishmael112 said...
I just looked. The link is to a speech by Joe Biden.

Nope... the link is to the White House’s own home page fact sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/12/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-kicks-off-infrastructure-week-by-highlighting-tremendous-progress-rebuilding-americas-infrastructure-18-months-in/

There is no speech by Biden in that link that I can see.

Here is the entire text from that fact sheet. And note, the portion in red is the one I used:

FACT SHEET: Biden-?Harris Administration Kicks off Infrastructure Week by Highlighting Tremendous Progress Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure 18 Months In

BRIEFING ROOM STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

Announced over $220 billion in funding, now over 32,000 projects across 4,500 communities across the country as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda

Just 18 months ago, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. While “Infrastructure Week” became a punchline under his predecessor, President Biden is investing in America to deliver an “infrastructure decade.” As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration is rebuilding our roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes to provide clean water, cleaning up legacy pollution, expanding access to affordable, high-speed internet, and ushering in a new era of clean energy.

To date, the Administration has announced over $220 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, including over 32,000 specific projects and awards, across over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, D.C., and territories. To implement the law, agencies have now hired over 5,000 federal employees, and states and territories have appointed infrastructure coordinators to facilitate clear communication and coordination with the federal government. The White House has created build.gov as a one-stop shop for information about the law and driven massive technical assistance to communities- directly from the government, as well as partners and philanthropy. The President, Vice President, Cabinet, and senior federal leaders, have taken more than 300 trips to all 50 states, as well as D.C., Puerto Rico, and the territories, to discuss this once-in-a-generation opportunity with community members. Today, the White House Infrastructure Implementation Team released a new map highlighting signature projects in all 50 states, along with a map showcasing the more than 32,000 projects and awards identified or underway.

Implementation of the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a key piece of his Investing in America agenda, which is growing the economy from the bottom up and middle out – driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States and creating good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. In particular, there have been major new private sector manufacturing announcements in electric vehicle (EV) charging, EV battery, rail, buses and fiberoptic cable manufacturing spurred by infrastructure investments and our Made in America policies.

FROM BREAKING GROUND TO CUTTING RIBBONS ON MAJOR PROJECTS

Key projects are moving forward across the country – many of which had been waiting decades on the sidelines – thanks to the historic investments from the Biden-Harris Administration. This includes:

Brent Spence Bridge: In Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky, more than $1.6 billion in federal grant funds will upgrade the existing Brent Spence Bridge and build a new bridge dedicated to interstate drivers to improve traffic along I-71/I-75, a critical freight route from Canada to Florida. After years of failed promises, the project will break ground later this year.

Golden Gate Bridge: In San Francisco, California, more than $400 million was awarded to the Golden Gate Bridge from the competitive Bridge Investment Program to replace, retrofit and install critical structural elements to increase resiliency against earthquakes.

Walk Bridge: In New Haven, Connecticut, the Federal Railroad Administration will break ground this week on the Walk Bridge Replacement, which carries four tracks of the New Haven Line, utilized by Metro North and Amtrak and running between New Haven, Connecticut, and Mount Vernon, New York. The bridge is one of the oldest and most crucial bridge

...[Message truncated]

View Full Message

Msg 11 of 15 to Ishmael112Ishmael112

In reply toRe: msg 9

Staff

From: WALTER784

Jun-8

Ishmael112 said...
When you buy things for your home do you always buy the very cheapest product you can find?

Good analogy... and the answer is no.

I want things in my home to last as long as possible and well... the cheapest just doesn't even come close!

FWIW

Msg 12 of 15 to WALTER784WALTER784

In reply toRe: msg 10

From: Ishmael112

Jun-8

We agree that Joe Biden has gotten an infrastructure bill through the Congress with a lot of money for expanding the passenger rail system.

Msg 13 of 15 to WALTER784WALTER784

In reply toRe: msg 11

From: Ishmael112

Jun-8

But the Federal Government always buys the cheapest thing through competitive bidding. I worked for the Goverment for over 40 years. And beleive me, the cheapness shows.

But without the Federal Government we would have little or no rail passenger service at all.

Msg 14 of 15 to Ishmael112Ishmael112

In reply toRe: msg 13

Staff

From: WALTER784

Jun-8

Oh, I'm very familiar with government procurements.

When I joined the Navy in 1977, I went through boot camp. And one thing they taught you was how to use an M-16 and a pistol.

And after they explained everything about those weapons, the Chief said... and treat them carefully because they were procured from the lowest bidder! (* CHUCKLE *)

FWIW

Msg 15 of 15 to WALTER784WALTER784

In reply toRe: msg 14

From: Ishmael112

Jun-8

I started riding Northeast Regional Trains back in the days of the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad. If there was a worse run railroad I have never heard of it. But the NH did know how to print time tables and they were always available. And the NH did know how to sell tickets without creating obstacles for riders. These things have eluded Amtrak.

In fairness, back in the old days I recall standing from Providence to New Haven. With Amtrak I always get a seat.

Ish

First Discussion

TOP

Railroad News and History

Railroad News and History

Discussions

Feds funding for crossing safety General

From: WALTER784

From: Ishmael112

From: Ishmael112

From: WALTER784

From: WALTER784

From: Ishmael112

From: Ishmael112

From: WALTER784

From: Ishmael112

Share a link to message

Share a link to