Infrastructure takes (mainly) labor to do, yes. If there is available labor and a societal need, but money is lacking, then the government should print the money and build the societal good.

And I have covered the CO2 question, the researcher in question recommends HSR where it makes sense population wise. Over a couple of decades you get more opportunity for travel for a lower CO2 cost.

So, can anyone tell us what has happened with old rail where HSR was installed?

Sweden's finest (and perhaps only) collaborative, leftist e-newspaper Synapze.se