Why transit projects are expensive in the US
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The bottom line is it’s many things that add up. Here are a few items that struck my eye:
Much of the premium [in labor cost] comes from white-collar overstaffing: in our Massachusetts’ Green Line Extension (GLX) case, we found that during the first iteration of the project, the ratio was estimated at 1.8 craft laborers to 1 supervisor by the CM/GC. In New England, the expected ratio is 2.5 or 3 craft laborers per supervisor; thus, GLX had 40-60% more supervisors than is normal in the Northeast.
In New York, each agency insists on having its own on-site supervisor.
Elsewhere in the world 5 laborers to one supervisor is common.
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I can answer this question without reading the article.
Unions.
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As much fun as it is to blaming your favorite boogeymen, there is something to be said about the quality of American construction.
These days you often read of shoddy construction built by China's construction companies, you see reports of substandard structures that crumbled in Turkey's earthquake, of abused construction workers who built the last FIFA World Cup site, etc. At the end of the day, we do build to a higher standard, and quality costs money.
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the quality of American construction.
For the most part, yeah. But tell that to the victims of the condominium collapse in Florida. Shoddy construction? Probably. So much for oversight in that one instance.
shoddy construction built by China's construction companies,
Yes, I've read that as well. Speaking of which, how's that "high-speed rail" project in California doing these days? Are the trains running? No? Why not?
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As much fun as it is to blaming your favorite boogeymen, there is something to be said about the quality of American construction.
These days you often read of shoddy construction built by China's construction companies, you see reports of substandard structures that crumbled in Turkey's earthquake, of abused construction workers who built the last FIFA World Cup site, etc. At the end of the day, we do build to a higher standard, and quality costs money.
@Axtremus said in Why transit projects are expensive in the US:
As much fun as it is to blaming your favorite boogeymen, there is something to be said about the quality of American construction.
Boogeyman? Pick up a shovel and take a job where you actually have to lift things and move things for a living and come back to me after that.
I just had to write a check to a union in Maryland to NOT touch or move instruments that they are not trained to transport. This Union also covers those drivers and workers delivering gravel, sand, etc… to MDOT projects. So excuse me when I tell you to shut up.
