[TEHAMA]

Yes, its another slow day at the office here.

I have served as Project Manager for several rail projects. They have NO idea what its all about. You have drainage issues, semistic issues, lighting, safety/evacuation, tunnel ventilation, staffing, maintenance and techincal expertise...and thats not even dealing with financing, administration, and construction issues.

The entire idea is completely laughable at best. Here is a country without any "organized" form a existing public transportation (buses) building a "subway?"

Las Vegas had to close their new rail monorail line for several months because the doors bought from Spain would open while the damn rail was moving above street!! We talked, talked to those City Government folks that is wasn't a good idea, but casinos want something "sexy." Now they have something sexy, dangerous, and full of potential law suits.

Curitiba, Brazil has the best possible solution that might be applicable to Santo Domingo: Very long buses that move like trains on streets which are grade-seperated. Later you can look at replacing the buses for actual trains and incorporate a light rail service.

I predict this will end up as one (or several) major well holes left unfinished for several years. If they start diggin in your neighborhood raise holy hell or move cause it will be there for a while.

Does any one know if San Juan's trains are running? That project I know for sure dates back to atleast 1995 and they "have" a scheduled bus operation in place to move people onto and off the train.
TEHAMA

ps- It was very odd to me to see the PRESIDENT meeting and discussing a rail project. I know its apples and oranges, but it would be to like idiot Bush sitting in on Boston's Big Dig. I know, I know...its just odd to me.