$676 million vs. $0.5 million

By: Lowell
Published On: 2/14/2008 8:39:11 AM

What's the expression, "For want of a nail the kingdom was lost?"  Well, how about, "For want of a $500,000 de-icing system, the $676 million Springfield mixing bowl was lost?"  Sadly, that's exactly what seems to have happened on election night, as "many of the Springfield interchange's 50 ramps and sky-high overpasses were shut down by a tenth of an inch of ice."

What's that other expression, "penny wise, pound foolish?"

Comments



More information please? (perkinsms - 2/14/2008 9:40:59 AM)
Could you provide more information on the $500K de-icing system?  Is this some sort of truck-mounted spray, or heating coils in the road, or what?

Thanks.



Sorry (perkinsms - 2/14/2008 9:43:14 AM)
Sorry for the self-reply.  I didn't read the article enough and now I feel dumb for posting.


$500,000 for one ramp. (Jim W - 2/14/2008 12:30:53 PM)
Wisconsin uses the de-icer spray system that Virginia rejected. Dave Veith, director of the Bureau of Highway Operation for the state, said the system is relatively inexpensive. He estimated that it would cost about $500,000 to install the system on the Springfield interchange's largest flyover.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

Only 49 ramps to go.



This was a decision by the Gilmore administration (AnonymousIsAWoman - 2/14/2008 10:07:42 AM)
to save money.  Because we all needed to end the car tax.

What's that other expression:  Your tax dollars at work - or maybe not.



At least we don't have the evil Car Tax anymore! (Sui Juris - 2/14/2008 10:18:08 AM)
Erm.  Well.  Umm.


just as i predicted (chiefsjen - 2/14/2008 12:25:41 PM)
I lived just a few miles from the mixing bowl for almost 35 years -- i thought the new design was insane in that it would leave people stranded for hours in bad weather, with no hope of getting off, especially if you were on the 495 to 95 south ramp.

thankfully, my family and i moved to KC last july where the roads are a plenty and virtually no traffic.  ahhhhh



todays post (pvogel - 2/14/2008 3:26:36 PM)
has gov. Gillmore stuck on this interchage for 7 and a half hours!!!!


How appropriate! (Lowell - 2/14/2008 3:31:16 PM)
Or is it ironic?