We build relatively few new highways, they’re generally lane addition projects. Baltimore has added 2-3 lanes N,S and Beltway without taking any additional land beyond the stuff done in the early 1900’s.

They’ve been trying to put a maglev in between DC and NYC for decades https://www.thebanner.com/community/transportation/northeast-maglev-high-speed-train-canceled-DDIKXTC5SZDM7IIGS2SPLEKDKQ/

It’s not like we’re not trying.