In 2021, infrastructure spending saw a rising trend with contracts awarded to build significant projects across the U.S.
Local governments and infrastructure companies have come up with a slew of projects to improve the quality of life and transportation networks and create well-paying jobs.
Based on carefully curated data and key insights, here are the top 10 infrastructure projects in the U.S.:
1. TCP - Dallas to Houston High-Speed Railway Line
Project Type: Greenfield
Project Sub-Sector: High-Speed Railways
Project Owner: Texas Central Partners, LLC
Estimated Project Value: USD 20,000 million
Estimated Year of Completion: 2026
Texas Central Partners, LLC (TCP) is constructing a 379-kilometer high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston in Texas, United States. In June 2021, TCP signed a multibillion-dollar construction contract with the Italian contractor Webuild and Lane Construction (Webuild’s U.S. subsidiary). Fluor Corporation and WSP Global Inc. are the engineering consultants.
The ambitious project includes the construction of the lines, tracks, viaducts, berms, maintenance facilities, power substations, and three passenger stations. The high-speed rail project will benefit an estimated 50,000 daily commuters and connect the two cities in 90 minutes with a stop at Brazos Valley near Texas A&M University.
2. SDCRAA - Replacement of San Diego International Airport Terminal 1
Project Type: Brownfield
Project Sub-Sector: Airport Terminal
Project Owner: San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
Estimated Project Value: USD 3,400 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2028
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) is replacing terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport in San Diego, California, United States. In October 2021, SDCRAA awarded a multi-billion design-build contract to the Turner-Flatiron joint venture (JV). As the airport is a major economic driver for the region, the project is expected to generate well-paying jobs and numerous contracting opportunities.
Terminals and roadways, airside improvements, and a new administration building are the three components of the much-awaited project. The project scope includes the construction of 30 gates, extra security checkpoint lanes, a multi-story parking plaza, restaurants, shops and more. After completion of the terminal’s first 19 gates by July 2025, construction will begin for the remaining 11 gates. Over the next several years, the new T1 will efficiently and elegantly serve the needs of thousands of passengers.
3. MTA - Metro-North Penn Station Access
Project Type: Greenfield
Project Sub-Sector: Heavy Railways
Project Owner: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Estimated Project Value: USD 3,000 million
Date of Announcement: December 15, 2021
In 2020, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) announced plans to build a Metro-North Penn station access in New York, United States. MTA appointed a design-build contract to a joint venture of Halmar International, LLC, the leading highway and bridge construction contractor and RailWorks, North America’s leading rail contractor.
The Penn Station Access Project will offer direct Metro-North service from the Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut to Penn Station and Manhattan’s west side. Penn Station Access will greatly reduce travel times for people in the East Bronx. The project is a big step toward better regional connectivity and environmentally sustainable transportation.
4. USACE - Upper Ohio Navigation Facility
Project Type: Greenfield
Project Sub-Sector: Dams
Project Owner: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Estimated Project Value: USD 1,800 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2026
In June 2021, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded a USD 4.7 million secant pile wall contract to Richard Goettle, Inc., for the Upper Ohio Navigation project at Montgomery Locks and Dam in Pennsylvania, United States. The General Fund (50%) and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (50%) are funding the project. The contract is for the construction of a secant pile wall for ground retention and stabilization of the existing Montgomery dam before building a new lock chamber at the facility for structural integrity. The project scope includes three locks and dams at—Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery—on the Ohio River. The project will increase economic efficiencies and make much-needed improvements to infrastructure.
5. NJT - Portal North Bridge in New Jersey
Project Type: Brownfield
Project Sub-Sector: Bridges
Project Owner: NJ TRANSIT
Estimated Project Value: USD 1,800 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2026
New Jersey’s public transportation corporation, NJ TRANSIT (NJT), is constructing a 3.92-kilometer Portal North Bridge in New Jersey, United States. Skanska/Traylor Bros joint venture (JV) is the construction contractor for the project being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT, and Amtrak. As a critical part of the Gateway Program, the project will provide safety, speed, and reliability to thousands of commuters.
The project scope includes demolition of the existing bridge and construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, and rail systems. The new two-track, fixed-span bridge across the Hackensack River will reduce service disruptions and improve capacity and service on the Northeast Corridor.
6. SCDOT - Columbia Carolina Crossroads Upgrade
Project Type: Brownfield
Project Sub-Sector: Streets, Parking & Highways
Project Owner: South Carolina Department of Transportation
Estimated Project Value: USD 1,700 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2029
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is reconstructing the Carolina Crossroads in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. The project aims to develop a safer and modern interchange design for the infamous Malfunction Junction in South Carolina. The Carolina Crossroads interstate improvement project encompasses new lane miles, widened interstate miles, new bridges, and reconstructed interchanges.
South Carolina’s largest construction venture in transportation is a five-phase project that includes the reconstruction of the interchanges at Colonial Life Boulevard, Broad River Road, Bush River Road, and Harbison Boulevard, in addition to I-26 widening west of St. Andrews Road. While the Archer-United Joint Venture (AUJV) is the design-build contractor, HDR will support the project’s procurement and design review.
7. NAVFAC - Mid-Atlantic Naval Facilities
Project Type: Greenfield
Project Sub-Sector: Others
Project Owner: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
Estimated Project Value: USD 1,140 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2026
In 2020, the United States Navy’s engineering systems command—Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) — announced plans to build a Mid-Atlantic naval facility in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. In August 2021, Virginia Beach-based S.B. Ballard Construction Co. was awarded a USD 51.6 million contract for the construction of the first task of the project work to be performed in Hampton Roads.
In addition to the base period, the contract has four option years and will last a maximum of 60 months. The initial task order won by S. B. Ballard Construction Co. is for the Corrosion Control and Paint Hangar Facility at Naval Station Norfolk. The Facility is a single-story building that consists of three main bays, a plastic media blasting bay, a paint bay, a wash rack bay, locker rooms, administrative and janitorial spaces and more.
8. INDOT - I-69 Finish Line Between Martinsville and Indianapolis
Project Type: Greenfield
Project Sub-Sector: Streets, Parking & Highways
Project Owner: Indiana Department of Transportation
Estimated Project Value: USD 728 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2024
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is constructing a 43-kilometer I-69 Finish Line project between Martinsville and Indianapolis in Indiana, United States. In February 2021, INDOT awarded a USD 728 million construction contract to a joint venture of Walsh Construction—one of the largest and most established builders in North America and—Milestone Contractors, a fully integrated general contractor.
Once completed, commuters can enjoy safer and more efficient travel between Southwest Indiana and Indianapolis. The I-69 Finish Line project includes new interstate miles, local access road miles, and bridges. While some existing bridges will be rehabilitated, a few traffic signals will be removed as part of the project that will revitalize the economy and also result in fewer annual crashes in the region.
9. TXDOT - Expansion of Interstate 35E From I-635: Phase II
Project Type: Brownfield
Project Sub-Sector: Streets, Parking & Highways
Project Owner: Texas Department of Transportation
Estimated Project Value: USD 709 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2025
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is expanding Phase II of Interstate 35E from I-635 in Dallas County, Texas, United States. TxDOT awarded a USD 641.6 million design-build contract to Fluor Corporation, an American multinational engineering and construction company. The highly anticipated project will rebuild and widen 10.2 kilometers of I-35E from I-635 to the Denton County line.
The Phase II project will reconstruct and widen the main lanes (from six to eight) and reconstruct two existing reversible tolled managed lanes. Furthermore, the critical project will add a frontal road lane and improve many intersections. To improve mobility and safety for travelers along I-35E, the project is believed to be a great example of partnership-driven improvements in the region’s transportation infrastructure.
10. VDOT - 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension
Project Type: Brownfield
Project Sub-Sector: Streets, Parking & Highways
Project Owner: Virginia Department of Transportation
Estimated Project Value: USD 600 million
Estimated Date of Completion: 2025
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is constructing a 4-kilometer I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. In October 2021, VDOT awarded a USD 441 million design-build contract to Lane Construction, one of America’s leading heavy civil construction companies. The global infrastructure developer and operator, Transurban, has been appointed as a management contractor for the project that will enhance multimodal mobility and connectivity in the area.
The 495 NEXT project will promote direct connections with the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road. It is expected to improve the region’s transportation network notably and cut down travel time for express lanes users by 24 minutes. Apart from reducing congestion and cut-through traffic, the project will provide new bus, bicycle, and pedestrian connections as well as generate job opportunities.
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