A project of this size and expense should last for generations; when the first urban subways were constructed in several east coast cities, they were state of the art, betting on a new, not yet proven technology of electrification. They excited the people, and enabled transportation around and outside the city, creating suburbs and new economic activity.

Our rail, more than a century later, is unlikely to be useful even a few decades from now. The modern equivalent to electrification is self driving vehicles taking people point to point, eliminating the need for garages, car ownership, and vastly improving the utility of our road networks. Even the biggest rail supports could not honestly argue that anyone is excited about the current state of the project.

Too bad no one in government has the fortitude to rethink the entire project, and go find companies that want to use our island as a proving ground for a 21st century mode of transport.