UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown approved financing for a $33 billion cross-rail, eastwest tube from Maidenhead and Heathrow Airport to Paddington, then to East London…This has been in the “planning stage” for 20 years…Costs will be split three ways: among the government, private sector business and the riders…But there is many a slip between cup and lip - - construction will not start until 2010 and is not expected to be completed until 2017…Dividing costs between three parties is a good idea, which the U.S. might consider, earmarks permitting.