A Poem: “No Comparison”

 

Boston’s transportation system.

The Big Dig.

 

Scheduled to complete in 1998

for $2.6 billion.

 

Completed in 2007

for $14.6 billion.

 

Bostonians will continue to pay

until 2038.

 

The City of Ottawa learned the lesson,

chose a light rail instead.

 

“On time and on budget.”

 

Phase 1 missed

only three deadlines.

 

Phase 2 costs ballooned

by only 35%.

 

And mechanical testing confirms:

On sunny summer days,

when the breeze is light and

the birds are singing,

the system will actually function.

 

By Shai Ben-Shalom

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