bullet train

Earlier this week, Amtrak released its proposal to build a new high-speed rail line connecting Boston and Washington, D.C. The project will cost over $100 billion and take 25 years to build. While rail enthusiasts may be pleased, you have to wonder: why is it going to take so long? Here's a look at other great infrastructure projects that took much less time to build.

Let me begin by pointing out that I'm a big fan of train travel. I've ridden trains up and down the Eastern Seaboard and across half of Europe. I've hung out in old rail yards, searched out hidden rail tunnels, and once went to a wedding in the O. Winston Link museum. Like my Walletpop colleague...