Reviewing 10 Amazing Construction Projects in the USA

That country that gave us the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, and dozens of iconic stadiums and arenas has long been at the forefront when it comes to ambitious and unique construction projects. In recent years, new automation, technology, and construction software solutions have improved efficiency and visibility to complement the size and innovation American construction is known for.        

In this blog post, we provide our list of the top construction projects in the USA, and uncover the recent trends and software behind some of the most impressive new buildings and infrastructure. 

Top 10 Construction Projects in the USA

There are currently over 8 million people employed by the construction industry in the United States, but labor shortages persist, even with increased adoption of automation and software tools improving efficiency during design and building phases. Despite these challenges, recent triumphs in green construction and infrastructure point to an extremely promising future.

1. The Observatory California

Apple Computer in California is known around the world for the iPhone, iPad, and (as of 2024), the Observatory. This new addition to Apple Park in California was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape and run on 100% renewable energy. As part of an expansive Apple campus, the Observatory is a modern event venue and a showcase for new phone and computer products. A unique combination of underground construction and spectacular views is complemented by natural stone, glass, and timber building materials.

The USD $5 billion Apple Park project has created approximately 13,000 full-time construction jobs over the past several years, while becoming a hot spot for sustainable architecture and technology. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was essential for the design and testing of this unique structure, with optimized lighting and intelligent HVAC systems making the Observatory energy self-sufficient.  

2. California High-Speed Rail

It stands to reason that many major infrastructure projects in the USA are found in the country’s most populous state, California. The 795-kilometer High Speed Rail represents the latest and most ambitious effort yet to alleviate the state’s chronic traffic congestion problem, while creating high-quality jobs for over 1,500 people in the process.

Once completed, the USD $106 billion first phase of the project will make it possible to travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 2 hours and 40 minutes, rather than the 7-9 hours it currently takes to travel by car. The advanced steel-wheel trains will be powered by electricity alone, with the goal of making the line 100% renewable.  

3. Hudson Yards

The 28-acre Hudson Yards development in New York City is among the construction projects in the US that demonstrate the power of private real estate development. The first phase, opened in 2019, includes a public green space, a hotel, residential buildings, offices, and the iconic Vessel structure. By the time phase 2 is completed in 2030, total cost for the project is expected to reach USD $25 billion, with over 50,000 construction jobs created overall.

The most unique and technically challenging aspect of this project is the large platforms, sitting on 300 watertight caissons, that support the structures while allowing train service below to continue uninterrupted. The architectural and design firms behind this accomplishment utilized BIM models and construction management software to bring their advanced concepts to life.

4. Orion Solar Belt

The state of Texas is known for its wide open spaces and plentiful sunlight, and these traits were evident to the builders and operators of the USD $25 million Orion Solar Belt project, completed in 2024. The plant consists of three individual solar forms, with a total of 1.3 million solar modules, and is owned and operated by SB Energy.

Electricity generated by the plant now powers Google’s massive data centers in nearby Dallas. The project also provided 3,000 local jobs during construction, as SB Energy partnered with the surrounding community to upgrade school plumbing and bathroom facilities.  

5. Arlington Career Center   

From the outside, the new Arlington Career Center just outside the US capital appears to be an ordinary public building in a residential area, but the center will bring some unique architectural and design elements to fruition once it is completed in 2026. The USD $180 million building will have a capacity of 1,600 people and feature advanced hands-on learning spaces for students seeking careers in veterinary science, culinary arts, emergency medicine, and cybersecurity, among many others.

Architectural design and engineering firm Stantec utilized RIB SpecLink software from the earliest stages of the project to manage specifications from a single database, streamline version control and editing, and eliminate conflicts and errors. SpecLink software is proving to be a catalyst for success as the project team navigates a wide variety of forms and materials.      

6. The Bullitt Center

As one of the first buildings in the US to earn the prestigious Living Building Challenge, based on sustainable building practices and a zero-carbon footprint, the Bullitt Center in Seattle, Washington is known as the greenest commercial building in the world. The six-story office complex combines solar panels, geothermal systems, toxin-free and sustainable construction materials, and real-time energy dashboards throughout the building to become a true showcase of what is possible. In addition, the USD $32.5 million project also created dozens of permanent and temporary jobs during construction.

7. SoFi Stadium

There are many remarkable stadiums worthy of mention among the top construction projects in US history, but the new SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles stands apart based on its immense size, scope, and record budget (USD $5.5 billion). Between 2016 and 2020, over 17,000 construction workers contributed to the project, with 3,500 on-site each day.

Innovations at SoFi include the 93,000 square meter ETFE roof canopy, the 80-million-pixel jumbo video screen, and an all-natural cooling system. Equally innovative tools, including 3D modeling, virtual reality (VR), and advanced construction management software, were utilized to make this impressive structure possible.   

8. Microsoft Thermal Energy Center

When Steve Jobs of Apple and Bill Gates of Microsoft were redefining the computer industry in the 1970s, neither realized their companies would be creating milestone sustainability projects 50 years later. Microsoft’s entry among the top construction projects USA companies have pursued is called the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center. A series of several hundred 168-meter-deep wells compose a large underground “geoexchange” field, contributing to Microsoft’s goal of being carbon negative and water positive by 2030.

9. Gordie Howe International Bridge

Appropriately named for the great Canadian hockey player who spent his career playing in the US, the Gordie Howe International Bridge spans the 2.5 kilometers between Michigan in the US and Ontario, Canada. The length makes the new six-lane structure the longest cable-stayed main span in North America. During construction, the CAD $6.4 billion bridge project provided jobs for over 11,000 workers, including hundreds of engineers tasked with making the elegant two-tower design structurally sound and durable.     

10. SunZia Wind

The final entry on our list of top construction projects in the USA is the ambitious SunZia Wind farm, currently under construction in the open plains of New Mexico. While other major infrastructure projects in the USA have focused on solar and geothermal power generation, SunZia will become the largest wind energy installation in the Western Hemisphere, with over 900 wind turbines eventually producing over 3,500 megawatts of power.

A record USD $11 billion budget has allowed the project to move forward in the face of ongoing technical, cultural, and permitting challenges, while creating over two thousand jobs during peak building times. 

What Can Professional Software Do for Construction Projects in the USA?    

With computer technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins making news in construction and many other industries, it is easy to overlook the power of construction software as US firms move into the digital realm to free up resources and create a single source of truth.

RIB Software offers a comprehensive toolkit of solutions that help to digitize and optimize a wide range of activities, including traditional bidding, planning, takeoff, and handover applications. Advanced business intelligence and document management software tools make collecting and analyzing project data easier and keep all stakeholders on the same page. Additional benefits of professional construction software include:

• Improved collaboration and communication between stakeholders
• Efficient cost management, budgeting, and invoice reconciliation
• Automated reporting, rescheduling, and resource allocation
• Improved risk management to enhance safety and compliance

Final Thoughts    

The builders of the past relied on an unending reservoir of workers and engineering breakthroughs to create landmark infrastructure and construction projects in the US. Today’s focus on speed, sustainability, and safety makes construction software another essential element for a rapidly developing industry.

RIB Software includes a portfolio of purpose-built platforms to support every aspect of design, planning, estimating, and construction management. Our solutions support sustainable construction through data-driven decisions that prioritize energy and reduce the carbon footprint. Planning and design software streamlines specification management and paves the way for full BIM integration. Bid management, estimation, and procurement solutions apply automation and intelligence to streamline the growing volume of material and cost data.         

RIB Software is empowering companies in the US with innovative technologies and solutions to build a greener and more efficient industry. Get your free demo to discover what RIB can do for your organization!