An infrastructure project is a large-scale construction project designed to support the basic facilities and services most used by a community. Infrastructure includes everything from roads and bridges to power plants and airports. It also extends to communication systems, such as cellular towers and fiber optic networks, as well as waste management facilities, such as sewers.
In the US, where infrastructure spend is highest, state and local governments are the primary asset owners, operators, and investors, although the federal government can play a significant role in funding projects and programs. Recent freezes in federal infrastructure funding have impacted a number of projects, and budget and staff cuts at the Department of Energy have prompted some concerns about future direction for grid modernization and renewable-energy investments.
These macro trends are driving new opportunities for contractors to work on infrastructure projects. In addition, some of the more traditional infrastructure sectors are expanding to incorporate newer technologies and practices that span multiple categories. Some examples of this include the expansion of broadband networks and the development of electric-vehicle charging stations, which blend electrical, communications, and transportation infrastructure.
While many infrastructure projects are financed by governments, some are being organized as public-private partnerships (P3s), where private companies win concessions to build certain infrastructure, like highways or power plants, in return for the right to charge tolls and fees to use them. These new infrastructure initiatives have a growing impact on the world around us, and they require careful planning and project management with a capable work OS.