5 Biggest and Most Expensive Megaprojects in the US

When it comes to the biggest and most expensive megaprojects in the US, there are some truly massive undertakings on the way. Here are five jaw-dropping biggest and most expensive projects in the US that are set to reshape industries and transform infrastructure across the country.

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has a specific program focused on large construction projects funded by the federal government. This program, launched in March 2023, is called the Mega Construction Project Program. Here’s how the OFCCP defines a megaproject:

Federal Funding: The project must involve at least some federal funding.

Cost: The project must have a total value of $35 million or more.

Duration: The project is expected to take more than one year to complete.

Here are five of the biggest and most expensive megaprojects on the horizon.

California’s $135 Billion High-Speed Rail

If we’re talking about the biggest and most expensive megaproject in the US overall, California’s high-speed rail plan takes the prize at a projected $135 billion price tag. This uber-ambitious endeavor to connect major cities with a 220 mph train system is easily one of the biggest and costliest projects in the US and the world. Whether it can overcome its setbacks and deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but there’s no denying its sheer scale as the biggest and most expensive project in the US.

The $16 Billion Hudson Tunnel Project

In the Northeast, the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project is one of the biggest and most expensive rail initiatives in the US. With $12 billion in federal funding secured, this long-awaited endeavor will build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River and rehabilitate an existing 113-year-old tunnel. It represents one of the biggest and most critical infrastructure projects in the US for bolstering transit resiliency in the busy Northeast Corridor.

Brightline’s $12 Billion High-Speed Rail

When it comes to the biggest and most expensive transportation megaprojects in the US, Brightline’s high-speed rail connecting Las Vegas to Southern California takes the cake at an estimated $12 billion. This ambitious plan to link the regions with trains traveling up to 200 mph is one of the biggest and costliest infrastructure projects in the US currently underway, with major construction scheduled for 2024 ahead of a 2028 opening.

Hyundai’s .5 Billion Georgia EV Plant

One of the biggest and most expensive automotive projects in the US is Hyundai’s planned $5.5 billion electric vehicle plant in Georgia. This giant manufacturing facility aims to produce 300,000 EVs per year, representing a huge investment in domestic EV production capacity. The plant’s multi-billion dollar price tag and goal of becoming one of the biggest EV factories in America make it one of the biggest and most expensive industrial projects in the US currently in development.

Multibillion-Dollar Hydrogen Hubs – Midwest, Appalachia, Texas, and California

On the clean energy front, some of the biggest and most expensive megaprojects in the US are the planned hydrogen production hubs spanning the Midwest, Appalachia, Texas, and California. With a combined price tag of around $4.5 billion, this network of massive hydrogen plants represents some of the biggest and most expensive industrial projects in the US right now, though construction timelines are still uncertain.

From transportation titans to industrial giants, these five ventures show that some of the biggest and most expensive megaprojects in the US are still yet to come as the nation embarks on massive initiatives to upgrade its infrastructure and transition to sustainable technologies.