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@cragsand @SirLich @atatassault @oldrawgabbit @danwentzel @notjustbikes
We have the combined US auto and oil industries to thank for this horror show. In the 1950's cities had trolleys; there were "interurban railways." Long distance rail travel was still common. All that was blown up rather than the continuous upgrading & modernization that could have been. We DO have long distances; much of the highway & air travel systems would have been developed, but as augmentation, not replacement
As example, the Chicago. Aurora, and Elgin railroad connected the cities of Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, and Elgin to Chicago. It ceased operation in 1957 after the building of the Eisenhower expressway eliminated its roadbed into Chicago.
The roadbeds are now bike paths. There was a stop a few hundred yards from where I live now. The expressway has been extended all the way to Iowa. It is jammed with mostly 1- occupant autos between Aurora & Chicago twice/day.
https://www.american-rails.com/aurora.html