The record seems clear as to why the rail lines lost when the cross-continental highways came in. It was well planned- never mind that a great deal of highway traffic would be better served on the railroads.

In Southeast Alaska, we have a Marine Highway. Some governmental sorts frequently say that we should build roads instead (avalanche chutes, animal rookeries and aesthetics bedamned) because the ferry system is subsidized by the state rather than paying for itself. The fact that virtually no land highway system pays for itself is ignored.

Proponents of the ocean waterways argue that the answer is better ferry schedules and that we should promote our uniqueness.