- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Cost: $500 billion
NEOM, a massive, futuristic city in Saudi Arabia, is a $500 billion project spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It's designed to be a "smart city" with multiple cities, resorts, and other developments.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund is providing the majority of the funding as part of the Vision 2030 plan to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce reliance on oil.
- Location: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Cost: $250 billion
The GCC Rail is gaining momentum with significant advancements in recent months. As the region's economies expand, rail projects are becoming increasingly attractive investments. Improved oil revenue and market conditions have supported infrastructure development.
The GCC Rail network, spanning over 2,000 kilometers, is expected to grow at varying rates across member states. Key milestones include the Riyadh Metro's first segment launching in March 2024 and the UAE's National Railway Network being introduced earlier this year.
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Cost: US$100 billion
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is a massive development project in Saudi Arabia, aiming to become a global economic powerhouse. With a modern architectural style and a projected population of nearly 2 million, KAEC is a $100 billion investment.
Construction began in 2006 and is expected to be completed by 2025. The city will feature a seaport, industrial zone, central business district, resorts, residential areas, and research institutions.
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Cost: $80 billion
Jubail Industrial City is expanding significantly. The $80 billion Jubail II project, the world's largest infrastructure undertaking, will double the city's size. This expansion aims to boost the petrochemical sector and improve the quality of life.
A new six-lane highway will connect Jubail to Dammam, enhancing connectivity within the region. Extensive road and trail networks are also being built to support the city's growth.
- Location: Space
- Cost: $150 billion
The International Space Station (ISS) is a massive structure, roughly the size of a football field, orbiting Earth at an altitude of 400 kilometers. Due to its size and weight, it couldn't be built on Earth and launched as a single unit. Instead, it was assembled in orbit over several years through numerous missions by various space agencies.
The ISS is a testament to international cooperation, involving European nations (ESA), the United States (NASA), Japan (JAXA), Canada (CSA), and Russia (Roscosmos). It serves as a platform for scientific research and technological advancement.
- Location: Paris
- Cost: $ 47.7 billion
The Grand Paris Express is a major transportation project in Paris, aimed at expanding the city's metro network and improving accessibility. This ambitious project involves building four new metro lines and extending an existing one.
The Grand Paris Express is expected to revolutionize travel within the city, reducing congestion and improving air quality.
- Location: China
- Cost: $46.2 billion
Beijing Daxing International Airport is a massive, modern airport designed to alleviate congestion in Beijing and serve the growing demand for international travel.
Built in just five years, this ambitious project showcases China's ability to execute complex infrastructure projects on a grand scale. The airport's completion signifies a significant milestone in China's aviation development.
- Location: Dubai
- Cost: $33 billion
Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is set to become the world's largest airport upon completion. As part of the Dubai South development, it offers a multi-modal transportation hub and a business-friendly environment. With a $33 billion investment, the airport has been expanding since its opening in 2010.
Aiming to surpass all other airports in passenger volume by 2050, it plans to reach a capacity of 255 million passengers per year. The initial phase will increase capacity to 130 million by 2030. The airport's development covers a vast area of 56 square kilometers and is expected to significantly boost Dubai's economy.
- Location: London
- Cost: $23.6 billion
The Elizabeth Line is the largest construction project in Europe, a 100+ kilometer rail route connecting Heathrow and Reading to Abbey Wood and Shenfield. It features 42 kilometers of new tunnels under central London. The central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood opened in May 2022.
Bechtel has played a crucial role in the project, managing the construction of the central tunnels and stations. They've also overseen upgrades to the existing rail network to ensure compatibility with the Elizabeth Line. These massive engineering projects are vital for London's transportation infrastructure
- Location: Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Macau
- Cost: $18.8 billion
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) is a monumental engineering feat, connecting three major cities in the region. As the world's longest bridge-tunnel system sea crossing, it spans the Lingdingyang channel in the Pearl River Estuary.
The 29.6km Main Bridge, with its sea viaduct and sub-sea tunnel, connects Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao. The bridge is part of a larger transportation network, including the 13.4km Zhuhai Link Road, extending its total length to 55 km.
- Location: Japan
- Cost: $13.7 billion
The Chuo Shinkansen is a groundbreaking high-speed rail project in Japan, utilizing maglev technology to achieve speeds of up to 314 mph. This new line will significantly reduce travel time between Tokyo and Osaka, revolutionizing transportation in the region.
Its construction is a testament to Japan's commitment to technological advancement and infrastructure development.
