“real estate is expensive and NIMBYs don’t want it”… the end.

(Also the story of why Hyperloop is pointless. technology isn’t the problem that needs solving! Fast rapid transit tech has existed since the 1980’s and it’s not the cost issue.)

That, and don‘t let the fox in the henhouse (namely, if you decide that contracting to consultants is a good idea, you do need in-house staff to make sure they‘re just not perpetuating an endless gravy train, and other consultants are not a substitute for this)

Thats not the end... the project has secured funding and is estimated to have a route from sf to la by 2030.

Also Elon Musk admitted that he had no intention of building hyperloop, it was just a way to detail HSR so he could sell more cars.

Detail? Derail?

source?

Why would a story about building high speed rail be relevant to installing fiber adjacent to existing utilities?

Because the power poles aren't owned by the cities, and the owners prevent other companies from getting access:

https://www.dwt.com/blogs/broadband-advisor/2015/03/googles-...

Still a far cry from the engineering complexities, legal challenges, and costs involved in constructing high speed rail.