Massive infrastructure and energy policy upgrades in Great Lakes State

[HHAYD]

National News Report:

3:00 PM

President Jake of Great Lakes State have announced a new, yet massive plan. The plan was to upgrade the current infrastructure of GLS after he received a report saying the overall grade of the nation's infrastructure was given a C and a C- in environmental friendliness. Here are his infrastructure and environmental plans:

1. Upgrade the main highways from 3 lanes to 6 lanes and leave enough space for 16 lanes for future upgrades. Upgrade the secondary highways from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and leave enough space for 8 lanes for future upgrades.

2. Upgrade all railroads from electric to the electric magnetic, which will allow more train traffic per railroad and higher speed.

3. Upgrade all main express railroad systems from 4 lanes (4 railroads on each side), to 6 lanes and reserve enough space for 10 lane railroad systems for future upgrades.

4. Upgrade all secondary express railroad systems from 2 lanes to 3 lanes and reserve enough space for 5 lane railroad systems for future upgrades.

5. Upgrade all of the waterway locks from 2 to 6 with the newer water pump and gate opener machines to decrease shipping time.

6. Build electric magnetic powered subway systems and elevated rails in all cities that have over 100,000 population.

7. Build underground trash collecting systems in cities that have over 500,000 population. The underground trash collecting systems are basically underground, deep railroads with train cars on them. The train cars are to collect trash dumped from the chutes connected to the local trash collecting buildings and deliver the trash to the main trash collecting area. The underground trash collecting system should reduce the amount of garbage truck traffics, amount of garbage truck drivers and garbage collectors, and the amount of money needed for collecting garbage.

8. Upgrade the current recycling systems to handle more recyclable items and to handle some of the harder to recycle items and pay people for recycling items.

9. Repair the current bridges in the nation and upgrade the heavily used ones. Half of the bridges in the nation need repairs and about one fourth of the bridges in the nation are overcrowded.

10. Have all underground electrical supply lines, water lines, natural gas lines, sewer lines, and sewage lines moved into giant reinforced tubes with walkways in the tubes so repairing can be done faster and easier and less chance of damages. Install separate phone and internet lines, and only install the fiber optic lines. Codes for the placement of the supply and waste lines still apply, but need to be updated.

11. Slowly replace all sewage treatment plants with the natural treatment plants to reduce upkeep costs and the amount of unhealthy chemicals seeping past the sewage treatment plants' filtering.

12. Redo the energy policy to encourage more people to install solar panels and more environmental friendly power plants, vehicles, and buildings.

The GLS Department of Transportation, the Department of Infrastructure, and the Department of Energy have approved the bill, but the Legislative is currently deciding whether to pass or reject the massive infrastructure upgrade bill. The bill is suppose to boost the nation's economy and to make it more environmental friendly. It will cost Great Lakes State nearly $150-$200 billion and maybe even more. If the bill does get passed, the government will need loans to help pay for the massive infrastructure upgrades.

Many people have opposed the bill. About 34% of the 200,000 surveyed citizens said it was too expensive and not worth it. Many oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuel companies objected, saying it will harm their profits. However, about 60% of the citizens and many environmental groups supported the bill. Many other companies, such as shipping, construction (no pun indeed), electrical, phone, and internet companies also supported the bill.

OOC: I will post a map of the planned highway and railroad systems that are to be upgraded. Feel free to object, but make the objections constructive please.

Edited February 6, 2009 by HHAYD

[Raritan]

OOC: I think that 10 tracks, even for a busy mainline, is a bit much. 4-6 tracks would work for most cases, unless your entire nation relies on rail for transport.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Promised Land views these proposed changes as commendable. While the initial cost will be high, the end results should be worth it.

[HHAYD]

OOC: I think that 10 tracks, even for a busy mainline, is a bit much. 4-6 tracks would work for most cases, unless your entire nation relies on rail for transport.

OOC: My nation mostly relies on waterways and rail for transporting. Besides, all of the express rails are going to have extra space for future upgrades.

[HHAYD]

News report at 5:00 PM, February 4th.

GLS Legislative have approved the bill at a 60-40 and President Jake have signed the bill into an act. However, now the government need nearly $150 billion to fund the massive projects that the bill is going to launch, the government only has enough money to cover $50 billion. Otherwise, the Legislative is going to turn around and delay or kill the infrastructure and environmental upgrade/improvement plans.

Edited February 6, 2009 by HHAYD

[V The King]

"An extremely expensive undertaking. Considering your small nation size, I'd consider cutting back on spending... you're still a long way to go to have a sufficient amount of people (or that can afford to use the infrastructure) for all of that to be worth it.

I might as well suggest that you limit magnetic railroads to urban limits, because the rail cost per kilometer is massive... to install those cross-country is to place your nation in eternal debt. I recommend sticking with electric trains for the time being.

And I assure you, it'll certainly cost more than $140 Billion for all of that, and you must also consider maintenance... an ample infrastructural system is worthless if there is not enough people using it and not enough money to repair it.

Though I commend your creativity for trash collection, it is also a system that will unleash hell in your country's pockets and many times more expensive to both install and maintain than conventional trash collection systems.

...Don't take my words wrong, though. Progress in other nations is great, but it is wise to not build much more than what you actually need, else you'll be forced into deep deficit and will face unrest."

[HHAYD]

Update, 7:00 PM, February 4th

GLS Legislative have decided to turn around and reject the bill, unless if some parts of it were to be removed to cut down the costs.

[JEDCJT]

OOC: Congrats.

IC: Byzantium watches this with interest.

[HHAYD]

All bolded sentences means they have been removed, all underlined sentences mean they have been edited:

1. Upgrade the main highways from 3 lanes to 5 lanes and leave enough space for 16 lanes for future upgrades. Upgrade the secondary highways from 2 lanes to 3 lanes and leave enough space for 8 lanes for future upgrades.

2. Upgrade all railroads from electric to the electric magnetic, which will allow more train traffic per railroad and higher speed.

3. Upgrade all main express railroad systems from 4 lanes (4 railroads on each side), to 5 lanes and reserve enough space for 10 lane railroad systems for future upgrades.

4. Upgrade all secondary express railroad systems from 2 lanes to 3 lanes and reserve enough space for 5 lane railroad systems for future upgrades.

5. Upgrade all of the waterway locks from 2 to 5 with the newer water pump and gate opener machines to decrease shipping time. Leave enough space for another 3 locks.

6. Build simple electric magnetic powered subway systems and elevated rails in all cities that have over 100,000 population. Build large electric magnetic powered subway systems and elevated rails in all cities that have over 400,000 population.

7. Build underground trash collecting systems in cities that have over 500,000 population. The underground trash collecting systems are basically underground, deep railroads with train cars on them. The train cars are to collect trash dumped from the chutes connected to the local trash collecting buildings and deliver the trash to the main trash collecting area. The underground trash collecting system should reduce the amount of garbage truck traffics, amount of garbage truck drivers and garbage collectors, and the amount of money needed for collecting garbage.

8. Upgrade the current recycling systems to handle more recyclable items and to handle some of the harder to recycle items and pay people for recycling items.

9. Repair the current bridges in the nation and upgrade the heavily used ones. Half of the bridges in the nation need repairs and about one fourth of the bridges in the nation are overcrowded.

10. Have all underground electrical supply lines, water lines, natural gas lines, sewer lines, and sewage lines moved into giant reinforced tubes with walkways in the tubes so repairing can be done faster and easier and less chance of damages. Install separate phone and internet lines, and only install the fiber optic lines. Codes for the placement of the supply and waste lines still apply, but need to be updated.

11. Slowly replace all sewage treatment plants with the natural treatment plants to reduce upkeep costs and the amount of unhealthy chemicals seeping past the sewage treatment plants' filtering.

12. Redo the energy policy to encourage more people to install solar panels and more environmental friendly power plants, vehicles, and buildings.

This editing made by President Jake and the Legislative will reduce the amount of money needed for this bill from $200 billion to $130 billion.

OOC: Congrats.

OOC: Thanks. =D

Edited February 6, 2009 by HHAYD

[HHAYD]

Message from GLS government to the world:

We have decided to pass the edited bill, however, we need cash, badly. We only have enough money to cover $60 billion and the banks only have enough to cover $10 billion, which leaves another $60 billion needing to be paid. We are asking if any nations can loan us some money.

Edited February 6, 2009 by HHAYD

[Triyun]

Hanoi National Research Laboratories has been working on a new solar panel technology. They are considerably more expensive but the out put is much higher as is their operating life so long term it would save you money.

[Centurius]

The Imperial Central Bank might be willing to loan $60 Billion against a rather low Interest rate but they would like more information about credibility and what you will offer if payment should at a point not be possible.

[HHAYD]

Hanoi National Research Laboratories has been working on a new solar panel technology. They are considerably more expensive but the out put is much higher as is their operating life so long term it would save you money.

We will buy some of the solar panels, but most of the solar panels that will be bought are from the public.

The Imperial Central Bank might be willing to loan $60 Billion against a rather low Interest rate but they would like more information about credibility and what you will offer if payment should at a point not be possible.

The only time we borrowed money from our banks was when our nation's economy crashed into a recession. We did manage to pay the loans back, but they were just a day late.

If we can't repay the loans, then we can use some of our emergency money reserves ($5 billion) and send oil, coal, aluminum, iron, lead, zinc, and other natural resources to repay the loans.

-------------------------------

News report, 5:00 PM, February 6th

The GLS government have announced a new change to the massive infrastructure upgrade project. If a citizen or business purchase a solar panel, the government will cover 50% of the solar panels' cost. However, if the business does not have any branches in the nation, it will not get any solar panel price reduction aid. Any legal buildings in GLS may receive the solar panel price reduction as long as they buy a legal solar panel.

To help fund the newly edited bill, the government have increased tobacco and alcohol tax from 5% to 10% and the gas tax per gallon is from 2% to 5%.

The government is currently planning when to launch the infrastructure upgrade project.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

We are willing to lend engineers and loan you money to work on this project. Our loans will be easy to pay back, with less than 2% interest per year.

[HHAYD]

We are willing to lend engineers and loan you money to work on this project. Our loans will be easy to pay back, with less than 2% interest per year.

How much money are you willing to loan?

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

How much money are you willing to loan?

How much do you need? Let's say... $10B?

Edited February 6, 2009 by KaiserMelech Mikhail I

[HHAYD]

How much do you need? Let's say... $10B?

Well, we are waiting for a $60 billion loan from another nation to loan to us. However, we will borrow money from your nation if the project turns out to be more expensive than calculated.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Well, we are waiting for a $60 billion loan from another nation to loan to us. However, we will borrow money from your nation if the project turns out to be more expensive than calculated.

It's here if you need it.

[HHAYD]

The bill has been edited, again. The new part states that more highways and railroads will be built, and all of the current roads and highways should be repaired.

Here is the current GLS highway map, the dark gray is the existing highways, the light gray is the planned highways that will be added. The light green are cities with over 20,000 population.

Here is the current GLS railroad map, the dark gray is the existing railroads, the light gray is the planned railroads that will be added. The light green are cities with over 20,000 population.

Edited February 7, 2009 by HHAYD

[HHAYD]

OOC: Centurius, hurry up and approve my loans before I go somewhere else to look for the $50 billion cash.

[HHAYD]

The project have begun. Here is the list of the priorities of the project:

1. Upgrade the current recycling centers and build new recycling centers.

2. Repair the current railroads and build new railroads.

3. Repair the current highways and build new highways.

4. Repair the current roads and build new roads.

5. Construct the reinforced utility tubes and the natural sewage treatment plants.

6. Build the new subway systems and elevated rails.

7. Build new canal locks.

8. Upgrade the older canal locks.

Bolded-in progress

Crossed out-completed

[HHAYD]

Priority and completion project list:

1. Upgrade the current recycling centers and build new recycling centers. 10% completed

2. Repair the current railroads and build new railroads.

3. Repair the current highways and build new highways.

4. Repair the current roads and build new roads.

5. Construct the reinforced utility tubes and the natural sewage treatment plants.

6. Build the new subway systems and elevated rails.

7. Build new canal locks.

8. Upgrade the older canal locks.

Bolded-in progress

Crossed out-completed

Edited February 8, 2009 by HHAYD

[HHAYD]

Priority and completion project list:

1. Upgrade the current recycling centers and build new recycling centers. 25% completed

2. Repair the current railroads and build new railroads.

3. Repair the current highways and build new highways.

4. Repair the current roads and build new roads.

5. Construct the reinforced utility tubes and the natural sewage treatment plants.

6. Build the new subway systems and elevated rails.

7. Build new canal locks.

8. Upgrade the older canal locks.

Bolded-in progress

Crossed out-completed

All current recycling centers are halfway finished being upgraded. The new recycling centers are still under construction.

[HHAYD]

Priority and completion project list:

1. Upgrade the current recycling centers and build new recycling centers. 40% completed

2. Repair the current railroads 2% completed

3. Repair the current highways 2% completed

4. Build new railroads.

5. Build new highways.

6. Repair the current roads and build new roads.

7. Construct the reinforced utility tubes and the natural sewage treatment plants.

8. Build the new subway systems and elevated rails.

9. Build new canal locks.

10. Upgrade the older canal locks.

Bolded-in progress

Crossed out-completed

All current recycling centers are about 80% finished being upgraded. The new recycling centers are still under construction.

Edited February 8, 2009 by HHAYD

[HHAYD]

Gorge Sir was the leader of the survey crew. They were going to build a highway across a flat area, connecting two other highways together. Gorge Sir told another surveyor, "Lets see, we can flatten that hill up head to make way for the..", but only to get cut off when the hill suddenly exploded. Imminently, a cloud of boiling steam came out the the blown up hill that is now a crater.

"What the..." remarked a surveyor. "Call the geologists, imminently. I think there is a boiling water source under than crater" replied Gorge Sir.

-----------------------------------------------------

News report:

A recent explosion occurred on the planned to be built highway route 45. The explosion was caused by a build up of boiling steam. Geologists concluded that there is a hot spot under the crater that is still spilling out steam. Plus, nine more geological hot spots were discovered by the construction or repair crews. The GLS government is planning on adding geothermal power plants construction to the massive infrastructure upgrade bill.