The COVID-19 pandemic had far-reaching impacts on many industries. With staffing, manufacturing and shipping issues, many construction projects were slowed or halted entirely.
Depending on the types of infrastructure and their needed development or improvements, this means that many projects are only now resuming regularly. The construction industry has only just begun to recover, with infrastructure improvements in the United States being in high demand.
What Are Infrastructure Projects?
Infrastructure projects focus on the development and maintenance of services, facilities and systems. These can be funded by private companies, publicly or combined as a public-private partnership (a collaboration of government entities and private sector companies). Private investments can help manage the economic development of a city, state or an entire country.
Despite increases in costs, the United States’ infrastructure is predicted to increase by a compound annual growth rate of 6.9% from 2022-2026.
Types of Infrastructure Examples
Today’s infrastructure construction isn’t the same kind that your grandfather performed. Construction trends emphasize technology and other innovative advancements, to contribute to our economic growth and wellbeing. We use and consume products and services related to different types of infrastructure every day when driving to work, flying on an airplane, going to the bathroom and visiting the doctor’s office.
To better understand how they play a part in our lives, here are 11 types of infrastructure construction and the major projects that are making headlines.
1. Aviation Infrastructure
Aviation infrastructure projects develop and maintain airplanes and airports. This form of construction is a crucial part of the United States Transportation System. Nearly $9 billion has been granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help improve infrastructure such as runways, taxiways and terminals.
One of the major focuses of the FAA is its Info-Centric National Airspace System (NAS), which is based on the three pillars of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The pillars are improving operations, infrastructure and safety.
LAX broke ground in 2019 with the development of its 2.25-mile Automated People Mover (APM) light rail system. The $5.5 billion project will include six terminal stations and are slated for completion in 2024.
2. Bridge Infrastructure
Bridge infrastructure construction oversees the costs of building and maintaining bridges throughout the country. This includes heavily trafficked highway bridges that are accessed daily.
The American Road and Transmission Builders Association reports that more than 1 in 3 bridges in the U.S. need to be repaired or replaced. The report concludes that restoring them all will take approximately 75 years.
Breaking ground in 2016, the Los Angeles Sixth Street Viaduct was demolished and rebuilt. Costing $588 million, this is the city’s largest bridge infrastructure construction project to date. The viaduct won the 2023 “Grand Conceptor” award at the 57th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala (EEA).
3. Communications Infrastructure
The communications infrastructure sector focuses on the connection between government agencies, businesses and the nation through wireless, cable, satellite and other technologies. Private and government sectors work together, ensuring that outages are fixed and updates keep wireless networks streamlined.
The United States’ early adoption of 5G has made it a leader in coverage, ranking No. 4 worldwide for 5G service. 5G will play a significant role in the future of communications, with the provided bandwidth that will enable increased technology such as AI.
The Dish Network has developed a 5G network in Littleton, CO, bringing 5G to 70% of Americans as of June 2023. The direct-broadcast satellite company relocated its headquarters to Littleton, creating more than 15,000 5G sites.
4. Power and Energy Infrastructure
The electrical infrastructure oversees projects that deal with power, including electrical lines, power grids and innovations in alternative energy. The United States’ electricity system is one of the largest in the world, with nearly 140 million customers, 37% of being residential.
Infrastructure Energy Alternatives (IEA) is increasing Nebraska’s stake in wind energy with the construction of Milligan 1 Wind Farm. Completed in May 2021, the project cost more than $350 million, creating more than 200 jobs and adding millions of dollars back into the Nebraska economy.
5. Railroad Infrastructure
Railroad infrastructure is on the pulse of the United States transportation system. The sector innovates and safeguards trains, subways and light rail systems. This includes track layout, steel supplies, bridges and tunnels.
The California High-speed Rail Authority (Authority) is involved in one of California’s biggest railroad construction projects, building a high-speed light rail system that will connect Los Angeles, Central Valley and San Francisco, California.
Starting in Los Angeles County and San Francisco, the rail system project has already created more than 10,000 jobs. The goal is for the track to be operational by the end of 2030. It’s estimated that the project will cost between $23.5 billion to $25.2 billion in total.
6. Road Infrastructure
Road infrastructure construction builds new streets and fixes streets, roads and highway systems for mass transit. It also oversees developing transportation projects that grant greater transportation access to communities.
Florida’s I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project reconstructed 21 miles of the highway with wider lanes, new express booths, reconstructed bridges and pedestrian walkways. The I-4 project created 2,000 jobs and boosted the state’s economic development.
Formerly known as the Orlando Expressway, I-4 runs through the heart of Central Florida, connecting Tampa-St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Orlando and Daytona Beach.
7. Water Infrastructure
Water infrastructure works to create sustainable water projects to purify water supplies from waste and make it safe for drinking. The United Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with other water sector partners to improve water efficiency in each state.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolfe is funding $269 million for the state’s water infrastructure. The project will improve drinking water and waste and pollution management and develop new treatment plants in 10 counties throughout the state.
8. Waste Management
Construction waste management works to improve the environment by storing, treating and eliminating hazardous materials. Sustainable construction practices are used to safely reprocess water for drinking, enhance human health and dispose of sewage and solid waste.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a $40 million loan to Toho Water Authority for a sewer assessment and rehabilitation project that helped repair the city’s waste and sewage systems in Kissimmee, FL. With an estimated cost of $81.9 million, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) project has already created 198 jobs.
9. Hazardous Waste Management
Hazardous waste construction finds and disposes of hazardous materials to protect the environment. Solid and hazardous waste bi-products, such as sewage remnants and other industrial leftovers, are transported to designated landfills for hazardous waste facilities. Tanks, drip pads and incinerators are used to treat, recycle or dispose of the materials.
Vanguard Renewable and Dominion Energy have collaborated on a $200 million effort to convert methane from dairy farms into natural gas. Several related projects are underway in New Mexico and Colorado, to name a few, with nationwide expansion down the pipeline.
10. Recreation Infrastructure
Infrastructure for recreation are facilities created for public use. This includes things like parks, playgrounds, beaches and picnic areas. These are often built into neighborhoods for the public to enjoy.
President Joe Biden granted a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package with a focus on the outdoor recreation industry and investing in natural infrastructure, with $100 million going towards the restoration of Federal recreation sites. An additional $250 million went to the Forest Service’s Legacy Road and Trail Program.
11. Hard vs. Soft Infrastructure
Hard infrastructure refers to all physical infrastructure. This includes things like roadways, powerlines and dams. Soft infrastructure, however, while less tangible, is just as critical to the success of a culture.
Soft infrastructure refers to the actual systems that keep societies running, such as healthcare, education, the law and government. Soft infrastructure is service-focused.
Private vs. Public Construction
Private and public construction are important components of infrastructure. Government agencies and private companies work independently and in partnership to create structures and provide services that improve societal living.
Private construction projects are funded and owned by private companies and organizations. These include homeowners (residential construction), businesses and private hospitals (commercial construction), and manufacturing facilities (industrial construction).
Public construction, also known as public works, consists of projects funded by local, state and federal governments. This includes public schools and government buildings.
United States Infrastructure is vital to the country’s economic and social growth. Each sector works in tandem to increase water resources, improve communication technology and upgrade mass transit. As more funding becomes available and projects continue to break ground, the industry should continue to see growth.
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