The construction of international roads and bridges

[Struwwelpeter]

Around 150 years have passed since a giant copper wire was constructed stretching from the British Isles to the mainland United States.

Still, less than 100 miles of wetland separates north and south America. It is still impossible, in the year 2012, to drive from California to Brazil (unless you want to risk going by foot).

Only about 60 miles of water separate Asia and the United States. There are two islands in between this gap. There have been plans to have construct a bridge between these gaps for ages. Yet nothing has been done.

I am not an advocate for any of these projects. I'm just pointing out that people suck nowadays. It's been approximately 150 years since they built that trans-Atlantic communications cable. Yet you still can't drive from New York City to India.

[da teacha]

I totally agree. There's so many mega-engineering projects which should be built.

Saudi - Sinai bridge/tunnel
UK - Ireland tunnel
Alaska - Russia tunnel
Djibouti - Yemen tunnel
Israeli - Jordanian friendship canal


The world is too busy churning out iPhones and declaring wars on eachother though.

[Struwwelpeter]

Somebody contact the billionaires of the world and tell them to stop doing stupid shit like going in to space... That was done over 50 years ago! No one gives a shit anymore... What would really impress people is connecting the world's continents.

[da teacha]

Originally Posted by Jim "fuck latinos" Carrey

Somebody contact the billionaires of the world and tell them to stop doing stupid shit like going in to space... That was done over 50 years ago! No one gives a shit anymore... What would really impress people is connecting the world's continents.

Nahhh, I'll be pissed off if I don't see some asteroid mining, Mars terraforming and one way deep space missions being launched in my lifetime.

Economics pisses me off.

Planet has 'x' resources and 'x' amount of labour; money means fuck all.

Makes sense to use said resources and labour in the most efficient and effective way. Which mass-producing TVs and Barbie Dolls isn't...

I hate communist/socialist fags, but at least they'd have a chance of getting something kickstarted.

[The Pat-Man]

do the dozens of well constructed foot tunnels going from mexico to america count?

[Issue313]

Political fuckery remains the greater problem. Its still impossible to drive across most continents without applying for visas, carnots (a guarantee that importation tax will be paid on your car if its not taken out of the country), often bribes and gifts to bureaucrats. I recommend Jim Roger's books about driving around the world. The world is still filled with ignorant ass niggers.

[Shrike]

Did you ignore the existence of aeroplanes when making this troll thread? Who is going to drive from the US to Russia when they could get on a plane instead? Bridges are only built when there's an economic impetus to have one instead of using other methods of transport to cross something.

[da teacha]

Originally Posted by Shrike

Did you ignore the existence of aeroplanes when making this troll thread? Who is going to drive from the US to Russia when they could get on a plane instead? Bridges are only built when there's an economic impetus to have one instead of using other methods of transport to cross something.

Did you ignore the existence of cargo being transported?

Why rely on Egypt and Panama, and spend money on ensuring they're playing ball, if you can (jointly) own the routes yourself?

[Struwwelpeter]

Originally Posted by Shrike

Did you ignore the existence of aeroplanes when making this troll thread? Who is going to drive from the US to Russia when they could get on a plane instead? Bridges are only built when there's an economic impetus to have one instead of using other methods of transport to cross something.

Flying is expensive. It's also extremely uncomfortable and not very captivating (yes, captivation is in the eye of the beholder, but I think most people would rather drive cross scenic routes than fly over a vast blue ocean).

Flying is also very anti-environment. It's friendlier to the environment to travel by car or boat than it is to fly by plane. That will be especially true if and when electric cars become the norm.

[aquabania]

I don't see an Alaska-Russia bridge as being that practical. I mean there's thousands of miles of nothing but insane weather and mountains on both sides. It'd be interesting to see the economics of it.

[Struwwelpeter]

A road running down the side of the coast and across the chain of islands along the Okthosk region could connect to Japan and from there a bridge or tunnel could connect Japan to Kowea and another from Kowea to Chyna.

[Issue313]

Originally Posted by aquabania

I don't see an Alaska-Russia bridge as being that practical. I mean there's thousands of miles of nothing but insane weather and mountains on both sides. It'd be interesting to see the economics of it.

I imagine as many Americans would drive to Russia as Europeans would. Next to none in other words. Americans, like JFLC like to imagine they drive long distances, but a look at the globe reveals that America is a small country compared to the distances of crossing from one continent to another.

On the other hand I do wish there were more very long distances buses and train services. As it is getting anywhere distant in Eurasia is a nightmare without just flying. For instance Iran, Russia and ByeloRussia all require visas that I think have to be applied for beforehand.

[Struwwelpeter]

Hi, my name is Issue313, and I take issue with anything and everything that I can, especially if I perceive it as being better than I am!

Issue #313, 446, 2093: The United States of America!

[Struwwelpeter]

Originally Posted by Issue313

ByeloRussia

[roasted]

Originally Posted by aquabania

I don't see an Alaska-Russia bridge as being that practical. I mean there's thousands of miles of nothing but insane weather and mountains on both sides. It'd be interesting to see the economics of it.

there are no economics to look at. Nobody lives in the Alaska and nobody lives in Eastern Russia. Intermodal shipping is so cheap there is no way this would be advantageous or cost effective. The only reason there is a highway going to Alaska is because the US Army built one for defensive purposes during WWII.

There is an arguement for putting a road over the Debian Gap though

[Struwwelpeter]

Originally Posted by roasted

the Alaska

The Alaska, huh? Is that kind of like The Ukraine? It's the "the" version, right? Got the "the" behind it. Yeah.

[Haiti's Space Agency]

I would drive to Russia in a heart beat.

[Struwwelpeter]

"There's nobody out there in eastern Russia!!!"

Well I guess lil' ol' bitch tits is just going to have to pack up his shotguns and move there, isn't he?

[Issue313]

Originally Posted by roasted

Debian Gap

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darién_Gap

a224, I'd love to drive across Russia, getting there is not hard from pretty much anywhere in Western Europe, Russian, Polish and Lithuanian people drive home from Ireland via a ferry to France all the time.

Also I wuv u JFLC

[YoureATowel]

I would assume tsunamis, and odd weather over the ocean would fuck some shit up for these roads. I for one would not want to drive when there are like 50 ft waves happening. Plus I guess they would also have the issue of who enforces traffic laws on these highways.