WSC 2025 - The Best is Yet to Be, Or Not to Be?

High-Speed Rail

Trains exceeding 450 km/h operational in several countries.

Via Rail

Canada's national passenger rail service operator.

G7 Countries

Group of seven major advanced economies.

Incremental Projects

Slow, gradual development instead of ambitious megaprojects.

Megaprojects

Large-scale infrastructure projects with significant investment.

Windsor-Quebec City Corridor

Canada's most populated rail corridor.

Urban Density

Population concentration in urban areas affecting rail viability.

Freight Rail Companies

Private companies primarily operating freight transport services.

Political Pressure

Influence from municipalities affecting project proposals.

High-Speed Rail Studies

Research assessing feasibility and benefits of rail networks.

Cost Estimates

High-speed rail projects range from $6 to $40 billion.

Train Trip Duration

Montreal to Toronto takes five hours and eight minutes.

Ownership of Tracks

Via Rail owns only 3% of its operational tracks.

Campaign Pledges

Political promises for high-speed rail by various leaders.

Passenger Infrastructure

Facilities and services supporting passenger train travel.

Carbon Emissions

Greenhouse gases released from transportation sources.

Demand for Rail

Need for rail services based on population density.

Major Cities

Urban areas with significant populations and infrastructure.

Investment Proposals

Plans for funding and developing rail infrastructure.

Travel Cost

Round trip from Toronto to Montreal can exceed $300.

Rail Network

System of interconnected train routes and services.

High-Speed Rail Benefits

Potential boosts to business and tourism from rail.

Track Prioritization

Freight trains' precedence affecting passenger train speeds.

High-frequency rail

Proposed rail system costing $6-$12 billion.

Alto project

High-speed rail in Windsor corridor, 300 km/h.

Bertha

World's largest tunnel-boring machine, 7,000 tons.

Megaproject

Large-scale project costing around $1 billion.

Global GDP contribution

Megaprojects constitute 8% of global GDP.

China's cement use

Used more cement 2011-2013 than US in 20th century.

Types of megaprojects

Includes tunnels, bridges, highways, airports, and more.

London Crossrail

Nearly completed, 26 miles of tunnels beneath London.

Iron law of megaprojects

Projects are over budget and over time consistently.

Cost overruns

Nine out of ten megaprojects exceed budget.

Project duration

Average large dam takes over 8.5 years.

Entropy in projects

Unrelated events cause setbacks in long-term projects.

Tarbela Dam inflation

Projected 7.5% inflation; actual 380% by completion.

2008 economic slowdown

Spurred megaprojects as growth stimulus.

Seattle project delays

Completion pushed to end of 2017, two years late.

Construction problems

Bertha's overheating led to significant project delays.

Cost-benefit estimates

Often misleadingly optimistic for megaprojects.

Megaproject fiascoes

Projects poorly executed or ill-conceived.

Infrastructure investment

Used to stimulate growth during economic downturns.

Cascading construction issues

Problems lead to further complications in projects.

High-speed rail optimal length

Proposed track length close to optimal for efficiency.

Electric trains

Faster trains proposed to reduce service times.

Via Rail

Owner of existing line for high-frequency rail.

Bertha

A tunnel-boring machine used in Seattle.

Seattle Tunnel Partners

Contractor responsible for Bertha's repairs.

Subsidence

Ground sinking due to underground excavation.

Fill

Variable earth material around the tunnel.

Megaproject

Large-scale construction project with significant impact.

Willie Brown

Former California politician commenting on project costs.

Cost Overruns

Exceeding initial budget estimates for projects.

Transbay Transit Center

A costly megaproject in San Francisco.

Public Perception

Local views on megaproject impacts and benefits.

Suramadu Bridge

Bridge project in Indonesia with mixed local opinions.

Economic Benefits

Job creation, trade, and tourism from megaprojects.

Cultural Icons

Structures symbolizing national pride and identity.

Intangible Benefits

Non-physical advantages like national pride.

Negative Externalities

Adverse effects from projects, like job loss.

Feasibility Studies

Assessments conducted to evaluate project viability.

Local Employment

Jobs created for residents during construction.

Public Opinion

Community sentiment influencing project approval.

Complex Soil Types

Diverse materials affecting tunneling operations.

Long Delays

Extended timelines due to project complications.

Economic Growth

Increase in economic activity from infrastructure projects.

Symbolism

Representation of cultural or national significance.

Contested Nature

Disputed views on megaproject benefits and drawbacks.

Technological Development

Advancements driven by large-scale construction projects.

Suramadu Bridge

Locals agreed with this successful megaproject.

Big Dig

Largest, most expensive U.S. highway project.

Interstate Highway 93 (I-93)

Major highway rerouted underground in Boston.

Central Artery

Elevated highway designed for 75,000 daily travelers.

Bill Reynolds

Proposed underground highway tunnel in Boston.

Fred Salvucci

Lobbyist for replacing I-93, appointed transportation secretary.

Michael Dukakis

Massachusetts governor who supported I-93 replacement.

Edward King

Governor who halted I-93 plan for I-90 extension.

Construction Issues

Substandard materials caused leaks and roof collapse.

Cost Overrun

Final Big Dig cost reached $24 billion.

Channel Tunnel

Undersea railway tunnel connecting England and France.

Chunnel

Nickname for the Channel Tunnel.

Tunnel Length

50.46 kilometers (31.35 miles) long.

Undersea Section

38 kilometers (24 miles) underwater.

Construction Timeline

Started in 1988, completed in 1991.

Parallel Tunnels

Three tunnels: two for trains, one for service.

Getlink

Operator of the Channel Tunnel and Le Shuttle.

Eurostar

High-speed passenger service through Channel Tunnel.

Tunnel Depth

Average depth of 45 meters below seabed.

Tunnel Width

Main tunnels are 7.6 meters wide.

CTRL

Channel Tunnel Rail Link connecting to London.

High Speed 1

Another name for the CTRL.

Train Speed

Trains can reach 300 km/h (186 mph).

California High-Speed Rail

Project to connect major California cities.

Phase 1

Connects San Francisco to Los Angeles and Anaheim.

California High-Speed Rail

Connects major cities with sustainable transportation.

Phase 1

494-mile line from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Phase 2

Proposed extension to Sacramento and San Diego.

2008 Ballot Authorization

Project authorized by statewide ballot measure.

Construction Start

Began in early 2015 focusing on Central Valley.

Current Status

Under construction as of March 26, 2025.