10 biggest construction projects in the world
The sky is the limit that holds true for humankind who have always strived to build bigger and remarkable structures. Be it canal, railways, or buildings. Today countries show their economic prowess through such infrastructure projects. Here is a list of the biggest construction project in the world:
1. International Space Station
A collaborative project involving five space agencies and fifteen nations, this grandiose space station was launched in 2000. This space laboratory is the size of a football field and has six astronauts on board. According to NASA, 243 individuals from 19 countries have visited this space station. There are plans to renovate the space station that is rumored to cost a staggering $60 billion.
2. Dubailand, Dubai
At a gigantic size of 278 sq. km, this US $64 billion is divided into six parts: ecotourism, theme parks, hotels, sports venues, science attractions, and health facilities. Dubailand is set to house the world’s largest hotel, which consists of 6500 rooms and a 10-million-sq.ft shopping mall. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.
3. High-Speed Railway, California
The work on this high-speed train started in 2015 and is estimated to be completed by 2029. Divided into two phases, the high-speed trains will connect eight of the ten largest cities in the state. The first phase will connect Los Angeles to San Fransisco and the second phase will extend to San Diego and Sacramento. The train is 100% electric and is capable to run up to 200 miles per hour.
4. Great Man-Made River Project, Libya
Touted to be the world’s largest irrigation project, the construction of the Great Man-Made River started in 1985 and is expected to irrigate more than 350,000 acres of arable land. The project aims to increase the availability of clean drinking water to Libya Urban Centres along with helping the farmers. The project is slated to be completed by 2030.
5. London Crossrail Project
The London Crossrail project is the world’s first underground train system. The project is still under expansion, by adding 26 miles of tunnel and connecting 40 stations to the existing line. Built at $23 billion, the work of this railway was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now expected to be open to the public by 2022.
6. Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai
Considered as one of the biggest airports in the world, this project spans an area of 21 square miles. The second phase alone is estimated to cost $32 billion. It is designed to handle 200 wide-body aircraft at a time. Slated for 2018 completion, the project has been delayed indefinitely.
7. Chuo Shinkansen, Japan
Chuo Shinkansen is a new rail line that is being constructed in phases. The train can run up to a speed of 505 kilometers per hour and will connect Tokyo and Nagoya, i.e 286 km in 40 minutes. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2027.
8. Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Makao Bridge
As the name suggests, this 55 km link connects three cities: Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau in Pearl River Delta in China. Consisting of bridges and tunnels, this project was completed in 2018 at a cost of US$18.8 billion
9. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
This project aims to connect Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan to the autonomous region of Xinjiang in northwest China. The project will consist of a network of highways, railways, and pipelines that will transport oil and gas. The estimated cost is US $64 billion.
10. TEN-T Core Network
This mega project aims to connect nine European corridors. The Trans-European conventional rail network, a part of this project aims to assist in the transport of goods throughout the 27 EU member states.
