15 Biggest Construction Projects to Watch in 2026

A wave of massive construction projects around the world is reaching key moments this year, driven by governments betting big on long-term infrastructure.

From record-breaking megastructures to futuristic transit systems and entirely new cities, these efforts aim to reshape how people live and move at scale.

1. The Line 

Location: Saudi Arabia

Cost: $500 billion

Part of Saudi Arabia’s $1.5 trillion NEOM project, The Line is a proposed linear smart city designed to stretch over 170 km in northwestern Saudi Arabia with a zero-carbon footprint.

The city will accommodate one million residents in a series of interconnected communities without roads or cars, relying entirely on ultra-high-speed transit and AI-powered infrastructure. 

Construction, overseen by the Saudi government and the NEOM Company, began in 2021 and includes multiple phases of residential, commercial, and industrial development. 

In 2024, the organisers announced the scaling down of The Line, saying the project will span only 2.4km by 2030. Initial sections of the projects are scheduled to open this year.

2. California High-Speed Rail

Location: USA

Cost: $106 billion

The California High-Speed Rail is an ambitious transportation project designed to connect major cities across California with fast, sustainable rail service. 

Once fully operational, the line will link San Francisco to Los Angeles in approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, with extensions to San Diego and other regions planned. 

Construction began in 2015 and is being carried out in multiple segments, including both electrified high-speed tracks and upgraded conventional lines. 

The project aims to ease traffic, cut emissions, and boost economic growth along the corridor. Partial operations are expected in 2029, with full completion in the 2030s.

3. HS2 High-Speed Rail

Location: United Kingdom

Cost: $100 billion

HS2 (High-Speed 2) is a major railway project designed to connect London with major cities in the Midlands and Northern England, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. 

The high-speed line will allow trains to reach speeds of up to 360 km/h, significantly reducing travel times and easing congestion on existing rail networks. 

Managed by HS2 Ltd., construction began in 2017 and is being delivered in multiple phases, with Phase 1 linking London to Birmingham and subsequent phases extending northward. 

Partial operations are anticipated in the late 2020s.

4. Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line

Location: Japan

Cost: $70 billion

The Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line is a state-of-the-art high-speed magnetic levitation railway connecting Tokyo and Nagoya, with plans to extend to Osaka. 

Designed to reach speeds of up to 505 km/h, the line will dramatically reduce travel time between Japan’s major economic hubs, providing a 40-minute Tokyo–Nagoya journey. 

Construction began in 2014, led by Central Japan Railway Company, and involves tunneling through mountainous terrain and advanced engineering to ensure safety and efficiency. 

At $70 billion, the line is one of the world’s most ambitious transportation projects. The first segment is set to open in 2027, with full completion to Osaka planned for the early 2030s.

5. Egypt’s New Administrative Capital

Location: Cairo, Egypt

Cost: $45 billion

About 50 km east of Cairo, Egypt is building a new capital designed to be a modern urban hub, with iconic skyscrapers, luxury residences, and shopping districts transforming the desert plain. 

Construction of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital began in 2015. The city is financed through a combination of domestic funds and major support from China via the Belt and Road Initiative.

The project is led by the Egyptian government, with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) building the main business district, including Africa’s tallest building.

Several districts are expected to open in 2026.

6. Grand Paris Express

Location: France

Cost: $40 billion

The Grand Paris Express is a massive urban transit project designed to expand and modernize the Paris metropolitan area’s public transportation network. 

The project involves constructing 200 km of new metro lines and 68 new stations, connecting suburban areas directly to central Paris while relieving congestion on existing lines. 

Managed by the Société du Grand Paris, construction began in 2015 and is being completed in multiple phases, with substantial segments projected to be operational by 2026.

7. Nusantara New Capital City

Location: Indonesia 

Cost: $35 billion

Nusantara is Indonesia’s planned new capital city, designed to relocate the government from Jakarta to Borneo’s East Kalimantan province. 

Covering an area of over 256,000 hectares, the city aims to reduce congestion and environmental strain in Jakarta while promoting sustainable urban development. 

The project, overseen by Indonesia’s National Capital Authority, will include government offices, residential areas, green spaces, and modern infrastructure powered by renewable energy. 

Construction began in 2022 in phases, with initial government facilities and essential infrastructure expected to be operational by 2026. 

8. Riyadh Metro

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cost: $25 billion

The Riyadh Metro is a rapid transit network designed to transform urban mobility in Saudi Arabia’s capital. The project includes six lines spanning approximately 176 km and serving 85 stations, connecting residential areas, business districts, and key transport hubs. 

Managed by the Arriyadh Development Authority in partnership with international contractors, construction began in 2014 and progressed through multiple phases. 

Most lines are operational or nearing completion, providing Riyadh residents with a modern, efficient, and sustainable alternative to road travel. 

9. Sydney Metro West

Location: Sydney, Australia

Cost: $25 billion

Sydney Metro West is a major rapid transit project connecting the city’s western suburbs with the central business district via a fully automated, high-capacity metro line.

The 66 km network includes 13 new stations, modern tunneling, and advanced signaling systems to reduce travel times and increase reliability. Managed by Transport for New South Wales, construction began in 2018 and has progressed through multiple phases. 

Tunneling and station construction are well underway, with some sections expected to open this year. Once operational, Sydney Metro West will provide a faster, more efficient public transport option, and ease congestion on existing lines.

10. Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail

Location: India

Cost: $20 billion

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail is India’s first high-speed rail line, connecting Mumbai in Maharashtra with Ahmedabad in Gujarat over approximately 508 km. 

Designed for speeds up to 320 km/h, the line reduces travel time between the two cities from over seven hours to around three hours. 

Developed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with Japanese financing, technology, and expertise, construction began in 2017 and has progressed through multiple phases, including dedicated tracks, bridges, and tunnels. 

Sections of the line are nearing completion, with full operations expected shortly. 

11. JFK International Airport

Location: New York City, USA

Cost: $18 billion

John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City is undergoing a massive expansion to handle growing passenger traffic. The centerpiece of the project is the new Terminal One (NTO), which will become JFK’s largest terminal once fully operational in 2030. 

Construction of the 222,967 m² terminal began in September 2022 on the site of the former Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (Terminal 3 having been demolished in 2013). 

Phase one, costing $9.5 billion, is scheduled for completion in 2026, with the full terminal and associated renovations expected by 2030. 

The project is being developed through a public–private partnership, with participation from the NTO consortium, including investment firm Carlyle, JLC Infrastructure, Ferrovial, and Ullico. 

12. Tren Maya Railway

Location: Yucatán, Mexico

Cost: $15 billion

Tren Maya is a 1,554 km railway project designed to connect major cities and tourist destinations across the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. 

Launched in 2020 and led by Mexico’s National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism (Fonatur), the railway will traverse 29 stations across five states: Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. 

The project is being built in seven sections, divided into two phases: Phase 1 (892 km) links Palenque to Cancún through four sections, while Phase 2 (662 km) connects Cancún to Escárcega via three sections. 

Once completed, Tren Maya is expected to boost tourism, facilitate regional travel, and stimulate economic development across the peninsula, with partial operations anticipated in 2026.

13. Hudson Tunnel Project

Location: USA

Cost: $14 billion

The Hudson Tunnel Project is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at building a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey to New York City. 

The project includes twin rail tubes alongside the existing North River Tunnels, which are over a century old and require replacement to ensure safe and reliable service. 

RELATED: Why Trump Terminated $16bn Hudson River Project

Managed by Amtrak in partnership with federal and state agencies, construction began in 2020 and involves complex engineering under one of the busiest waterways in the United States. 

Tunneling and foundational work are well underway, with completion expected in the early 2030s. Once finished, the project will increase capacity for Amtrak and commuter trains, reduce congestion, and strengthen one of the nation’s most critical transportation corridors.

14. Brenner Base Tunnel

Location: Austria–Italy

Cost: $9 billion

The Brenner Base Tunnel is a major trans-Alpine railway project connecting Innsbruck in Austria to Fortezza in Italy, designed to improve freight and passenger transport across the Alps. 

Stretching approximately 64 km, it will be one of the longest railway tunnels in the world, reducing travel times and bypassing steep mountain routes. 

Construction, managed by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Italy’s Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), began in 2008 and involves complex tunneling and engineering through challenging geological conditions. 

Once completed, the tunnel is expected to shift significant freight traffic from road to rail, reduce environmental impact, and enhance cross-border connectivity. 

The Brenner Base Tunnel is projected to become operational in 2032.

15. Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link

Location: Denmark–Germany

Cost: $8.2 billion

The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link is an ambitious infrastructure project connecting Denmark and Germany via an 18 km immersed tunnel under the Fehmarnbelt strait. 

Designed for both rail and road traffic, the tunnel will cut travel times between Copenhagen and Hamburg by 1.5 hours, improving freight and passenger connectivity across northern Europe. 

Managed by Femern A/S and the German Federal Ministry of Transport, work began in 2021 and involves advanced engineering techniques to ensure safety and environmental protection. 

Once completed, the link will boost regional trade, enhance cross-border travel, and strengthen economic ties between Scandinavia and Central Europe, with operations set to begin in 2029.

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