Small Delays Lead to Big Consequences

Mega projects in mass transit often suffer from cumulative minor issues that escalate into significant delays and budget overruns. The case of the Second Avenue subway illustrates this, with completion dates repeatedly pushed back and costs ballooning to $4.5 billion for only two miles of work. Elected officials, driven by the need to demonstrate progress to constituents, tend to initiate projects with unrealistic timelines and optimistic budgeting, which can lead to systematic mismanagement and eventual failure to meet objectives.