I'm watching a Travel Channel program called "Outer Limits" and they are currently in Seattle showcasing the hydroelectric source of 90% of Seattle's power. Essentially, in 1903 they built a 10-mile long wooden flume to shunt water from a river down to a hydroelectric plant.
They built this incredible structure over treacherous mountain terrain, in awful weather and with unsophisticated tools (at least in comparison to what we have today). However, with all those impediments they were able to construct all 10 miles of wooden flume (with a rail line along the top of it) and the hydroelectric powerhouse in 18 months.
How is that possible? What happened to construction over the last 100 years that would make that project today take 10 years?
One of my most viewed posts here is my photo of the new bridge at the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam, one of the world's engineering marvels was completed in only 5 years.
Construction has gone so terribly wrong, and it remains to be seen if we will ever be able to get back.
For those of you who wonder the same thing, I suggest reading "Commercial Real Estate Revolution" and "Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets". Both books are linked from my site and I think have great suggestions as to how to get things back on track.
Comments