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World’s Greenest Highway

inhabitat.com -- By Cameron Scott

"Finland recently unveiled plans to build the world’s first green highway — an 81-mile stretch of road that would feature charging stations for electric cars and pumps filled with local biofuels. Outfitted with energy-efficient lighting systems and geothermal heat pumps,"

"Waste from the region would be used to produce biofuels and electricity for the service stations."

"The road would also feature smart lighting systems — lights would shut off if there were no cars and the brightness would adjust to weather conditions,"

"...conventional gas stations would also be available."

"The $900-million plan will only become a reality if the European Union provides support."

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Submitted Aug 22, 2010 By: UncleCurt

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1006 All-Star Author Birmingham Posts:930 Points:1,028,490 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2010 9:19:52 PM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse I'll tell ya . . what next!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,266 Points:1,142,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 6:37:41 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse SVMike: considering that most of these highways in Finland are connecting very rural areas, it is something of a great benefit. From your answer it's clear you haven't been to Finland.
SVmike Champion Author California Posts:1,426 Points:307,850 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 3:35:45 PM Ignore SVmike Report Abuse The greenest road is the one not built. Carbon neutral -- hardly...how many diesel gallons will be spent building all this. How many "electric charging stations" do you need in 81 miles? By the time it is built and operating electric cars will routinely be able to go 182 miles per charge negating most any benefit.
kag2010 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:2,894 Points:561,410 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 1:55:30 PM Ignore kag2010 Report Abuse what next.
TomJDriver Champion Author London Posts:1,036 Points:302,340 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 1:28:07 PM Ignore TomJDriver Report Abuse "God you people are so blinded by your political ideology. Meaning??? Political? Your hidden agenda please. WE were having a conversation. "So for all you "bright" parrots below, what does that equate to, in 2010-dollars? Parrot??? What does that mean?? Parrot of whom??? Pointless. No, you did get 20 points.
rfaramir Veteran Author Texas Posts:466 Points:406,005 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 9:49:30 AM Ignore rfaramir Report Abuse ' "Build it and they will come" applies to a lot more than just baseball diamonds. ' Yes, but whose job is it to make a speculation like that, and profit from it if it works out, and lose capital (maybe all he's saved in life and all his friends' savings) if he figures wrong? That's would be an entrepreneur. It is the business of private enterprise to make these calculated guesses, not government. If an entrepreneur guesses right, he's rewarded with profits; wrong and he gets losses. It's a self-reinforcing system that guides our guesses to the right conclusions in the long run (a lot of failures happen first in some businesses). Government has no such feedback, other than 1 every N years you can vote them out. If a government project fails, the only solution they will accept is more money and people and effort, never less, never scrap it altogether, never kick out the bozo management and put in fresh new ideas. Please leave kind of thing to the free market. If you want to see a new venture prosper, get government regulations out of the way.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:11,760 Points:1,659,270 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 8:19:41 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse RogerB from indianapolis posted... "Lets see - Finland pretty much went bankrupt during the last financial crisis due to poor management of their financial institutions. Now they want EU handouts to build another pipe dream. what are the chances that the EU will support this" . Another pipe dream? See, this is the problem with basing all your knowledge solely on political ideology - whom is actually "dreaming". $11 million dollars per mile, is what WE SPENT in building the U.S. Interstate highway system, that WE began building IN 1956. The U.S, interstate system was initially projected to cost $25 BILLION and require 12 YEARS to complete. Actual cost for the initial system was $114 BILLION, and while essentuially complete, continues to be expanded to meet changes in population distribution and growth. I-80 Construction in Nebraska The cost to construction I-80 across Nebraska, was $950,000.00 per mile. A state where land costs and right-of-way rights were not likely much of an issue. Not to mention, it was essentially flat prairie that did not require significant grading, tree removal, or earth-moving. Yes, NEARLY $ONE MILLION DOLLARS PER MILE! IN 1957 ! Just trying to put the costs for this "in perspective". God you people are so blinded by your political ideology. When adjusted for inflation, what the U.S. spent to build the current Interstate System equates to $425 BILLION [US] for 42,000 miles of U.S. interstate, as of 2006. And that, equates to $10.1 million per mile, for a system we began building in 1956 - in 2006 dollars. So for all you "bright" parrots below, what does that equate to, in 2010-dollars?
1006 All-Star Author Birmingham Posts:930 Points:1,028,490 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 6:50:57 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse they balance out the cycle we continue to pave over more parking lots - but necessary as people leave there to move here.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,266 Points:1,142,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 6:01:53 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse WIPACKERFAN: how is this ridiculous?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,266 Points:1,142,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 6:01:19 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse CPGas: unlike the US, Europe is a leader in alternative energy with solar and wind topping the alternative energy list. However, geothermal is already in use in Iceland (and has been for a long time). So has energy production from garbage. It's not going to be boondoggling anything. It's called "LEADING," something the US has forgotten how to do.
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,176 Points:726,480 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:32:38 AM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse The European union can't afford this boondoggle. Europe's economy is even worse than the U.S. economy.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,393 Points:1,511,720 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:27:45 AM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Good for Finland!!
VTROCK Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,582 Points:644,455 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:25:17 AM Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse You will be able to drive a volt the whole length of the highway on electric only with just 2 stops to re-charge.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,485 Points:1,384,810 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:21:35 AM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse This "green" stuff is getting rediculous. I agree that we should do what we can to conserve and the like. However, the greenest anything is just plain a business claim to attract customers
Bonito Champion Author Dayton Posts:13,053 Points:2,547,440 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:17:55 AM Ignore Bonito Report Abuse More grass and trees along its many miles?
traindude Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:5,614 Points:1,245,430 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:15:13 AM Ignore traindude Report Abuse maybe they should let NJ build it, put solar powered toll booths everywhere and not worry about pollution cause they can use the off shore wind farm project to power the whole thing. OH and raise taxes some more to pay for the whole thing and issue some bonds and then sell the whole thing to a private company and isolate it from the intersate highway system. oh, they've already kinda done that last part
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,176 Points:726,480 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:13:52 AM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse Yesterday's news.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,258 Points:1,893,540 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:13:14 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse How is it that we can not get this done in the US. We need more bio-diesel as they use in Europe. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:6,153 Points:1,857,755 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:10:32 AM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse This is truely green. Not everyone has molten rock under the road.
Silverhand Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:18,569 Points:3,160,760 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:09:12 AM Ignore Silverhand Report Abuse "The $900-million plan will only become a reality if the European Union provides support." And so we see illustrated once again the problem with green fuels.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,647 Points:2,129,065 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:07:50 AM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse What a waste.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:267,902 Points:1,200,750 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:06:34 AM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse so...
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:3,545 Points:390,660 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:04:36 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse small area, big cost.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:5,157 Points:1,203,700 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:03:27 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Sounds like a great idea, 900 million for 81 miles of road.
djtdi Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,829 Points:523,805 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:55:49 PM Ignore djtdi Report Abuse Let them try it.
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:3,659 Points:816,925 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:55:32 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Why not? It'll be a good testing ground for future "green" highway construction.
SeerLV Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,930 Points:807,825 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:53:50 PM Ignore SeerLV Report Abuse That is a little pricey green or not!
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,318 Points:683,120 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:53:32 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse headline should read "flush with mooched cash, Finland tries to grab headlines" what does an 81 mile strip of 'green' highway do to stabilize your economy?
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,826 Points:681,300 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:53:10 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse At that price it should be green.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:6,282 Points:1,144,245 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:51:21 PM Ignore danreino Report Abuse Hey Finland, ya better let the Krauts try anything like this first.
MRED3 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,626 Points:803,345 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:50:36 PM Ignore MRED3 Report Abuse Sounds good but 11+ million dollars a mile a little high don`t you think.
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,780 Points:1,169,630 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:47:10 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse i want to see a youtube at warp speed of someone driving this stretch.
MotoLotion Rookie Author Toronto Posts:1 Points:15,820 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:44:50 PM Ignore MotoLotion Report Abuse It'll never get done, they're too busy taking saunas and flagellating themselves, Yowser !
signwiz Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,395 Points:1,349,930 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:40:47 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse They don't have many cars there and few drivers. Should work.
FuelOilOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,338 Points:946,405 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:37:32 PM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse Big plans for a small country. I wonder how Finlanders feel about the chances for this working?
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:15,237 Points:2,163,045 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:34:25 PM Ignore RogerB Report Abuse Lets see - Finland pretty much went bankrupt during the last financial crisis due to poor management of their financial institutions. Now they want EU handouts to build another pipe dream. what are the chances that the EU will support this
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:6,474 Points:1,916,565 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:33:05 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Needs to be wayyy longer for real-world info...
sjl08203 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,870 Points:1,330,425 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:31:56 PM Ignore sjl08203 Report Abuse Let's hope it is successful
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,255 Points:1,985,195 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:27:54 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse hope they painted GREEN LINES between lanes like we sometimes do here on St Patrick's Day
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:7,947 Points:1,621,420 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:21:31 PM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse Government has been building roads since Ancient Rome, probably longer. On limited-access turnpikes, it is customary to have rest stops with concessions for fuel and food. Rental income and tolls pay debt service on the construction. The wing nuts railing against Finland's plans to build energy-efficient facilities are out of touch.
TomJDriver Champion Author London Posts:1,036 Points:302,340 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:21:01 PM Ignore TomJDriver Report Abuse hamdriver said, "If this get support, I will be the first to help." So would I, but are you moving to Finland? geoutpb said, "It is a plan, Sweden is a small country, with few major roads." And this road in Finland is relatively close to Sweden. 30mpg80 said, "Caught in a downpour of negativity from these comments" Yah think? Here's a positive thought. jimim said, "our highways and gas stations WILL evolve, hopefully, just like you will." You're hopefully optimistic. Some just won't. lol.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:5,624 Points:1,115,325 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:20:40 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse what are the chances that the EU will support this
fuelconscious Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,082 Points:538,870 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:15:58 PM Ignore fuelconscious Report Abuse After all , Scandanavian countries are known for very high tax rates.
FlogNut Champion Author Chicago Posts:85,655 Points:1,549,025 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:09:10 PM Ignore FlogNut Report Abuse Another fine example of government finding yet another way to waste taxpayers money. These folks even want to waste money from taxpayers in other countries.
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:4,563 Points:1,047,525 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:07:17 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse First the government makes NOTHING! // It taxes workers an spends are hard earned money the way they want not us! $900 million for 81 miles to me is a lot, even with gas stations that sell gas bio-fuel & charge your car still seams like a lot to me! // I mean in 81 miles how many stations do you NEED? If most cars can go 40 miles pre charge 3 stations in the middle to get both sides to save just seams like a RIP OFF TO THE TAX PAYER!
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,402 Points:3,055,455 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:04:58 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Good concept. But Finland should pay for its own road.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,026 Points:1,217,360 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:03:32 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse They want the highway but want someone else to pay for it.
mmene Champion Author Houston Posts:4,347 Points:938,970 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 11:01:45 PM Ignore mmene Report Abuse Lets see - Finland pretty much went bankrupt during the last financial crisis due to poor management of their financial institutions. Now they want EU handouts to build another pipe dream.
Jarod13 Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,470 Points:1,049,730 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 10:58:23 PM Ignore Jarod13 Report Abuse Another government bailout in the making...we all know where this is going to led. More taxpayer money being wasted!
poppa09 Rookie Author Cleveland Posts:33 Points:345,060 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2010 10:54:11 PM Ignore poppa09 Report Abuse but how much does it cost per mile? is it like cost effecient