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The Big Dig vs. Wetland Restoration
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Senior User
Join Date: Apr 2005
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The Big Dig, that incredibly ineffient project in Boston to make the roads more efficient cost $14B, which is the same amount environmental organizations are saying it would cost to restore the coastal wetlands and swamps around New Orleans to their protective levels which will help diminish the impact of future Katrinas.
So if the Feds are going to spend your money what would you rather have it spent on? The Big Dig probably made for less congestion in Boston which in and of itself definetely helped out local and state commerce and had some trickle down effect on national commerce. On the other hand, the insurance cost for Katrina alone are estimated at $26B, total cost might go as high as $100B and New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is one of the major port areas for much of the sea borne trade into the US. While it is being repaired not only are gas prices going to go up, so too will sugar, coffee and other commodities that come in through New Orleans in large quantities and the products (for sugar) that are made from them.
And of course, more importantly is the human factor. The Big Dig isn't going to save any lives whereas making the Gulf Coast more hurricane resistant will.
Debate on.
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Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Antediluvia
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Seems to be a small investment to restore wetlands. As for the Big Dig, oy vey, that project just keeps sucking tax dollars here in MA.
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"In darkness there is strength, therefore strength is darkness."
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Moderator  Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: We come from the land of the ice and snow...
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I'd hope for better than the big dig--hopefully it won't take 20 years to restore NOLA. Also hope they get competent contractors and no nepotistic incompetants. oh wait, does halliburton have the contract?!?
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NYNY
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I'm not sure what portion of the $14B was contributed by the feds...I know the state taxpayers themselves have paid a good chunck of it...but still...that was obviously a boondoggle...but the worst of it wasn't the concept it was the corruption.
And now the thing is leaking...good grief.
The N.O. project is necessary, the Big Dig was superficial..it makes Boston prettier but hasn't helped much else...
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Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: We come from the land of the ice and snow...
Status:
Online
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it has helped the commute to the airport, so far. I don't commute north south so I can't speak to that myself, but that's got to be an improvement.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: South of the Mason-Dixon line
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(in his best pooka voice)
Last time I checked, the wetlands have been restored in New Orleans. And it didn't cost the taxpayers a dime.
Re-unrestoring those wetlands might cost a few billion, however.
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Senior User
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy
(in his best pooka voice)
Last time I checked, the wetlands have been restored in New Orleans. And it didn't cost the taxpayers a dime.
Re-unrestoring those wetlands might cost a few billion, however.
God does work in mysterious ways. 
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