I am far from an engineer so I have questions. First, is the 3700ft terminus the only way for water to flow? Are tunnels not an option? $150B one time cost is acceptable, the interstate highway cost trillions.<p>My recurring idea to build next and in parallel or under major interstate highways a water way,sewage route and a high speed railway. The availabiliy of water wherever there is a an interstate highway and railway would solve so many problems including housing and it will be an economic boom. Much more land would be habitable and towns would explode. The economic activity generated will offset the costs in a few decades and this can be all powered by a combination of nuclear (water source), hydro (transmission/route/boosting) and wind+solar (anywhere?).<p>Actually, my idea was to use nuclear power by the pacific coast, desalinate it, deposit the brine in the desert and send the water to reservoir lakes from which my proposed interstate transportation and utility route will be fed. This will then unsher a new era of the megapolis!<p>Of course I will need become your leader then, naturally! (Jk).<p>Can someone more sane tell me how crazy this idea is and why it would cost more than the IHS? You can bond out most of the financing because the profit from rail travel, excess power and water would pay of long term bond interests, you wouldn't need to print new money or anything.