You know, a few years back we heard a lot of talk about "shovel ready jobs" that we were later told never really existed. I have to wonder how many Americans would like to see Rt66 run it's full length, again in the same track where it used to be. Redo and reopen all the closed sections, and rebuild all the old bridges. Reuse as many of the original structures as possible, any new structures have to have the 1940's-50's-60's architecture (while still meeting all modern building codes for structural safety, ADA, Fire codes and Life safety codes). Restoration to be a true to historic look and feel.
It would be a hugh expenditure of state and federal tax dollars, but look at the number of jobs it would produce, and the small business opportunities it would create. Talk about putting people back to work. From planners, to surveyors, to heavy equipment operators, to pipe fitters, departments of public works, to plumbers, and electricians, construction crews, road crews, to the plethora of General contractors and sub contractors for everything you can imagine from finish plumbing and electrical, to doors and windows, to framers and dry-wallers and painters, to flooring people, to tile workers, to pavers and concrete contractors, to sign makers, and and so many more trades. And when it's done, think of the increase is jobs at small business, from store clerks, to waiters, and janitors, and maintenance people and cooks, and book keepers, and gas stations, and the extra infrastructure to service these places, police, fires, water department, electrical sub stations, phone equipment....
It would be a decades long project from Chicago to LA. A state and federal project that would (IMO) have a good deal of support, and one that would result in 10's of thousands temporary and permanent jobs.
Yes, I understand cons and the obstacles, and the funding issues, and even the confidence mean who would try to use the gullibility of many American to make a quick and phony profit. But, I'd still like to see this country getting involved in POSITIVE projects like this.
