A new wave of massive construction investments totaling hundreds of billions of dollars is preparing to break ground across the United States in 2026, signaling continued momentum in megaproject development even as broader construction markets face headwinds.
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At least 10 projects valued at more than $1 billion each are scheduled to begin construction next year, spanning advanced manufacturing, energy production, transportation infrastructure and digital development. These large-scale ventures are expected to generate thousands of jobs while reinforcing U.S. competitiveness in strategically important industries.
As traditional commercial and residential construction shows signs of strain, megaprojects—defined as developments typically costing $1 billion or more—are increasingly serving as critical growth drivers. However, they also underscore ongoing challenges related to labor shortages, supply-chain constraints and shifting industrial priorities.
Recent data from the Dodge Construction Network (DCN) shows that investment growth remains heavily concentrated in a limited number of sectors, even as activity in others remains sluggish. These projects reflect a blend of federal, state and private investment and point to long-term bets on domestic manufacturing, clean energy and digital infrastructure.
Among the most significant developments is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s $165 billion investment in Arizona, which includes three advanced fabrication plants and a research and development center. The initiative is designed to strengthen domestic chip production and support next-generation semiconductor technologies.
In Texas, GlobalWafers plans to invest $7.5 billion to build the nation’s first 300mm silicon wafer manufacturing facility, aimed at securing a domestic supply of materials critical for advanced chip production used in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and 5G technologies.
Arizona will also host a $5.5 billion manufacturing complex from LG Energy Solution focused on electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems, supporting the expanding EV and renewable energy markets.
Louisiana is set to see multiple large-scale investments, including a $5.8 billion ultra-low-carbon steel manufacturing plant using Electric Arc Furnace technology, as well as a $15.1 billion liquefied natural gas export terminal and pipeline project designed to expand U.S. energy exports.
In Tennessee, the multibillion-dollar Kingston Energy Complex will combine natural gas generation, battery storage and solar power, marking the retirement of nine coal-fired units and a major shift in regional energy infrastructure.
Transportation infrastructure will also see major investment, led by Brightline West’s more than $21 billion high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. The rail line is expected to remove millions of cars from Interstate 15 each year while reducing congestion and emissions.
Maryland’s Northeast Corridor will benefit from a $5.9 billion modernization of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel, expanding capacity and improving reliability for millions of Amtrak passengers through new tracks, signaling and ventilation systems.
Digital infrastructure remains a dominant driver of megaproject growth. Meta is investing $7.5 billion in the Hyperion Data Centre in Louisiana, a multi-building campus spanning more than 1.4 million square feet. Amazon is also planning a $15 billion data center expansion in Indiana, which is expected to create more than 1,000 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent technology positions.
Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at DCN, said: "Much of the momentum we’re seeing is still concentrated in big-ticket, high-tech projects. Outside those categories, the pace of expansion is noticeably steadier and more restrained."
She added: "Growth in construction starts continued to be propped up by high-value megaproject activity last month. Outside of these high-tech buildings, however, growth appears more moderate. In square footage terms, for example, nonresidential and residential starts declined by 4.3 percent over the month, and are down 5.4 percent year-to-date through October."
Douglas Schrift, global head of infrastructure at Liberty Mutual, highlighted how rapidly the market has evolved, saying: "Just three or four years ago, billion-dollar projects were rare. Now we see multiple projects of that size every month, and they continue to grow."
The surge in megaproject construction is expected to continue shaping industry trends through 2026 and beyond, particularly in data centers, semiconductor manufacturing and energy export facilities. However, experts caution that this growth remains uneven, with broader commercial, healthcare, education and smaller institutional projects lagging behind.
Long-term success for these developments will depend on the construction industry’s ability to address skilled labor shortages, manage supply-chain logistics and mitigate environmental impacts associated with large-scale builds.
Originally reported by Sam Stevenson, Associate News Editor in News Week.
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