TOP 10 most expensive construction projects in the world

The current development and progress in the world is the evolutionary result of human mental activity, as well as earthly resources. This is not to say that only the human mind would not be sufficient without earthly sources. Today money acts as a laconic and compact form of earthly resources; it literally changes the world. New grandiose projects come out day after day. The present man has made his way through the mountains, created new islands, redirected rivers and many other things that were once considered impossible even in the recent past. And this development path will not stop in any case.

The man has developed many different development projects that have been launched in different parts of the world. Here we present a list of the ten most expensive construction projects in the history of mankind. At the beginning of the implementation, most of these projects were not like that, but at the time of their completion they consumed so many resources that they are now really expensive projects.

10. Eurotunnel - $ 22.4 billion

The tenth place is taken by Eurotunnel. This project is also named "English Channel" by the French side of the project, as it is located under water between the coasts of France and England. The 31 km long canal was launched to expand trade between England and France. The project cost 15 companies from both countries $ 22.4 billion. The channel is managed by the financial group Eurotunnel. Initially, the estimated cost was less than the cost spent on the project. The main reasons were the increased requirements for safety and environmental protection.

Construction began in 1988, and in 1994 the tunnel began to function. During this time, ten workers died. The tunnel consists of three parts: two railway tunnels with a diameter of 7.5 meters and one service tunnel with a diameter of 5 meters. Each stretches 50 km underground.

There are many failures and misfortunes in the history of the creation of this channel. There were many fires in the canal tunnel. These incidents resulted not only in serious injuries, but also in the death of many people.

9. Great Boston Tunnel - $ 23.1 billion

The Great Boston Tunnel has an estimated cost of $ 23.1 billion. According to the project, there are plans to redirect some of the major highways in the Boston area. The main route of the road network in the area, Route I-93, has been rerouted directly into the middle of the city. Unfortunately, many obstacles hinder the project, including shipwrecks that must be anthropologically investigated prior to relocation. The Great Boston Tunnel was built ten years later than estimated. And more money was spent than expected.

The project faced financial and administrative problems, including serious design flaws, for the restitution of which the state had to pay nearly $ 400 million. Unfortunately, during construction, there was one death when a concrete slab fell on a car.

8. Kansai International Airport - $ 29 billion

The cost of Japan International Airport is estimated at $ 29 billion. It is located on an artificial island, built to resist the constant earthquakes and tidal waves of the region. The second reason for building in water was to prevent noise.

The idea behind the construction was that Kobe and Osaka were losing trade in Tokyo. In this state, plans for the airport were introduced in the 1960s. Over the years, metal support columns and other structural elements have been added to it to prevent sinking. The second terminal was added in 2012 and is connected to the first terminal by a free shuttle. The airport is located outside Japan, in the middle of Osaka Bay.

7. California High Speed Rail - $ 33 billion

In seventh place is the California High Speed Railroad. Its estimated cost is $ 33 billion. Work on the project began in 2015 and is scheduled for completion by the first half of 2029. The project is already well above the original budget. The main idea was to connect some major US cities with high-speed rail.

According to the timetable, the initial segment will connect Merced to Bakersfield. Ultimately, this will link Los Angeles and San Francisco. Trains in this project will be able to reach speeds of up to 350 km / h.

6. Songdo International Business District - $ 40 billion

Songdo International Business District is ranked sixth. It is located in South Korea near Incheon International Airport. Its estimated cost is $ 40 billion. It will be a "smart city", with automatic processing plants, ubiquitous WiFi and other innovative technologies. Korea is the first country to introduce such a model in the world.

Some replicas of some of the world's most famous landmarks will be built there, such as a replica of New York's Central Park. According to the plan, the island will be full of various birds, deer and rabbits. Songdo IBD is being built to attract businesses and tourists. China also wants to follow the example of this project, but there is no clear plan yet.

5. Dubailand - 476 billion

The fifth project is Dubailand. Aspects of Dubai's design are based on Arabic folklore, namely the fairy tale Alaf Laila Wa Laila (One Thousand and One Nights). The project, with an estimated cost of $ 76 billion, was launched with enthusiasm, but construction was halted in 2008 due to the tense situation in the financial system in Dubai. However, in 2013 it resumed. When completed, the project will become one of the largest and most expensive entertainment venues in the world. Plans include an IMAX theater, Disney theme park and many other attractions.

Some thought that the main goal of the project was that Dubai needed to attract families in order to compete with other cities in the region for tourism.

4. Economic City of King Abdullah - $ 86 billion

The King Abdala Economic City Project is ranked fourth on the list. Not yet finished, but when completed, the project will cost about $ 86 billion. Located near Mecca, the city is sure to become a new attraction in Saudi Arabia. The city will have entertainment centers, high-class hotels, luxury villas, several significant universities and a huge airport.

The economic city of King Abdullah is mainly being built by the international investment company Emaar Properties. She is well known for having built the tallest building in the world, Burj Al Khalifa, in Dubai. Another company Ericsson will be working on information and communication technologies.

3. Kashagan field - $ 116 billion

The third most expensive construction project in the world is the Kashagan field. $ 116 billion was spent on its installation. This is a multinational project. The following companies participate in it: KazMunaiGas, Total, Exxon Mobil, AgipKCO, Royal Dutch Shell. This is an oil production project launched in the Caspian Sea. Kashagan is the largest oil field in the past 40 years. More than 90,000 barrels of oil per day are expected to be produced in 2018. Some unexpected problems, such as pipe leaks, caused the project to be slightly delayed. Another major difficulty with the postponement was that the oil reservoirs are very dangerous for drilling, as they are under high pressure. Despite all these obstacles, the project is currently operational.

2. International Space Station - $ 150 billion

The International Space Station is a manned orbiting Earth station used as a universal research facility. 14 countries contributed to its construction: the USA, Spain, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

By 2020, after 26 years of service, it is planned to end the use of the station and flood it in the ocean. The main spacecraft included in the ISS are the Space Shuttle and Russian rockets. All modules used for the station were built on Earth, then assembled in space.

1. US Highway System - $ 459 billion

The Interstate Highway System of the United States is the most expensive project in the world in the history of mankind. It exceeded production costs many times over and eventually cost America $ 459 billion. President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed this project as crucial for national defense. Its main goal was not transportation, but the creation of new routes and the transformation of old routes as "interstate or interindustry connections between American states." Nebraska was the first state to complete all interior details for the US highway system in 1974, 18 years after the project began. The final touch to the I-70 motorway project, passing through Colorado, was completed in 1992.