Things Under Construction - An Official TransCyberian Express Station Stop

Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower), United Arab Emirates:

The Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest building with a height estimated between 2300 and 3100 feet. It will include office space, apartments, a hotel, shopping areas, and entertainment centers. Construction began in 2005 and is expected to be completed in 2009.

For additional information please visit:

Burj Dubai.com

Burj Dubai Skyscraper.com

Burj Dubai to cost Dh3.9b

The Cruise Bowl Megaship:

The $1.5 billion Cruise Bowl is proposed to include a 1,400 foot long floating arena and two 900 foot accommodation vessels which would all sail in tandem with one another. The arena would host major concerts and sporting events and accommodate 12,000 "passengers"

London Bridge Tower, London, England:

At 1014 feet tall, London Bridge Tower will be London's (and Europe's) tallest skyscraper. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2005 and end in 2009.

The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia:

The Pentagon is undergoing a $3 billion renovation to reinforce all interior and exterior spaces and upgrade all safety features. Construction is scheduled to end in 2010. The project was well underway on September 11, 2001 and the destroyed section had already been renovated and reinforced.

Israeli-Palestinian Separation Wall:

The Israeli government is currently constructing a massive wall, over 350 miles long and 20 feet tall, to separate Israel from the Palestinian West Bank in an effort to prevent terrorist attacks initiated by radical Palestinians. No completion date is set for the highly controversial wall.

Kansai International Airport Expansion, Osaka, Japan:

One of the world's largest manmade islands is being almost doubled in size to include a new runway, terminal, and cargo facilities. The original island airport was completed in 1994.

For additional information please visit:

Airport Technology.com: Kansai International Airport Expansion

Iwakuni Runway Relocation Project, Seto Inland Sea, Japan:

Begun in 1997 by the Japanese government to increase flight safety and reduce noise the $2.4 billion dollar relocation project will create a new 8052 foot runway, control tower, and ordinance facilities for the US Marine Corps Air Station which is located at Iwakuni (on Honshu Island), Japan. The project, one of the world's largest, is being constructed on 531 acres of land which is being reclaimed from the sea. It is scheduled for completion in 2009.

The Tappan Zee Bridge

Linking Westchester & Rockland Counties, New York

A replacement for the three mile long Tappan Zee Bridge has been proposed. The 3 mile long NYS Thruway bridge spans the Hudson River connecting Westchester & Rockland Counties. Studies are underway to determine whether a bridge or tunnel should be built.

The Big Dig, Boston, Massachusetts

The I-93 Central Artery was relocated beneath downtown Boston and I-90 was extended beneath Boston Harbor to reach Logan Airport. Begun in 1991, the road construction phase was the largest construction project in the United States. Road construction ended in January 2006. Ongoing construction includes demolition of the old elevated I-93 Central Artery to create open space and reclaim the land for the construction of new parks.

For additional information please visit:

The Big Dig.com

Boston.com: Beyond The Big Dig

Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Washington State:

A third Tacoma Narrows Bridge is currently under construction along side the existing bridge to ease congestion. The existing (second) bridge replaced the original "Galloping Gertie" which collapsed shortly after it opened in 1940. The bridge project is America's largest since the 1960s. The new 5,400 foot bridge will be completed in 2008.

Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota:

Work began on the Crazy Horse Memorial over 50 years ago and when it is completed it will be the world's largest sculpture. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Mt. Rushmore, the memorial will depict the famous Indian Chief seated

on horseback with his outstretched

pointing toward his homeland. No

completion date is scheduled for this

privately funded venture.

Beijing International Airport, Beijing, China:

A major expansion project will make Beijing International Airport the world's largest airport. Scheduled for completion in preparation for Beijing's 2008 Summer Olympics, its

focal point is a new terminal building whose footprint is larger than that of the US Pentagon.

For additional information please visit:

Beijing Centre.com

Stone Cutters Bridge, Hong Kong:

Stonecutters Bridge will be the world's longest cable-stay bridge and will cost over $2.75 billion. Construction would end in 2008.

Pennsylvania Station, New York, New York:

America's busiest transportation center is being relocated across the street from it's current inefficient location beneath Madison Square Garden. The new location currently houses Manhattan's Main Post Office and is an original twin of the first Penn Station, which was razed in 1963. The new $750 million station will also include a conference center and lots of space for stores and restaurants.

For additional information please visit:

Railfan.net: New Penn Station, NY

Trainweb.org: Penn Station

Wired New York.com: New plan in works for Penn Station

Second Avenue Subway Rail System, New York, New York:

A brand new subway line will be built beneath Manhattan's 2nd Avenue to service an area that lacks sufficient subway service, reduce commuting time, and alleviate congestion on many of the city's other subway lines. The $17 billion project will include 8.5 miles of new tunnels and 16 stations stretching from Harlem to lower Manhattan.

The Long Island Railroad East Side Access Project, New York, NY:

A new $5 billion transportation hub beneath Grand Central Station will bring the Long Island Railroad to Manhattan's East Side. The project will require construction of four miles of brand new train tunnels as well as passenger facilities, retail space, and some of the world's longest escalators all about 100 feet beneath what is currently Grand Central's lowest level.

For additional information please visit:

East Side Access Project Brings Long Island Rail Road Extension Into Grand Central

Terminal

Long Island Rail Road Access to Manhattan's East Side

National Geographic: Inside The Pentagon

"Inside The Pentagon" interweaves stories covering the sweep of the Pentagon's 58-year history, taking viewers into the restricted inner workings of the American military machine.

New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast, Louisiana, Mississippi, & Alabama:

Touted as the largest, most expensive, and most ambitious reconstruction project in the history of the world, the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina is being reconstructed at an estimated cost which surpasses $200 billion. Proposed plans include re-routing a portion of the mouth of the Missisippi River.

For additional information please visit:

Rebuilding Gulf Coast after Katrina most expensive U.S. reconstruction project to date

Firms with White House ties get Katrina contracts

Bush unveils ambitious Katrina reconstruction plan

International Commerce Center, Hong Kong:

Hong Kong's tallest building is scheduled for completion in 2010. Topping off at nearly 1,600 feet, it will house 118 floors and the world's highest hotel.

Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China:

Construction began in 1997 on what will briefly be the world's tallest building. It's unique features include a giant open-air square shaped hole engulfing nearly all of the top floors. The building is scheduled to open in 2008 and will house a hotel and a museum.

Hanford Waste Treatment Plant, Washington State:

The world's largest radioactive waste processing plant is currently

being constructed at the US Government's Hanford Site in Washington

State.

New York City Water Tunnel No 3,

New York, New York:

Water Tunnel Number 3 is currently being constructed 600

feet below New York City to provide additional water capacity to city residents and to facilitate the cleaning and maintenance or Tunnel 1 and Tunnel 2. Tunnel 3 is scheduled for completion in 2020 and will cost approximately $6 billion.

For additional information please visit:

A Tunnel 60 Miles Long

Mayor Giulaian and Dep. Commissioner Miele Celebrate the Third Water Tunnel Breakthrough

Panama Canal Widening Project, Panama:

A massive project is underway to widen the 8 mile long Gaillard Cut portion of the Panama Canal and to build additional locks to accommodate simultaneous two-way passage of larger ships. The project is expected to be completed in 2010.

Olivenhain Dam, San Diego County, California:

North America's tallest roller-compacted concrete dam is currently under construction as part of San Diego's Emergency Storage Project. Only imported water, from a series of interconnected reservoirs, will be used to fill the 200 acre reservoir which will be created by the nearly half-mile long 300 foot tall dam.

For additional information please visit:

Water Technology.net: Olivenhain Dam, San Diego County, USA

NC Times.net: New Olivenhain Dam to be Filled This Summer

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (East Span),

San Francisco, California:

Construction began in 2002 to replace the cantilevered east span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge with a single tower suspension bridge. The new bridge will be able to withstand seismic activity better than the original span, part of which collapsed during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2008.

For additional information please visit:

New Bay Bridge.org: New East Span: History in the Making

Metropolitan Transportation Commission: San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

The Palm Islands & The World Islands, United Arab Emirates:

The world's largest land reclamation projects, including a 12-square-mile palm shaped island as well as 300 smaller islands grouped together over 45-square-miles to resemble a map of the world, is rising from the seabed off the coast of Dubai in the Perisan Gulf. The $14 billion project is sceduled for completion in 2010.

For additional information please visit:

ENR.com: Palm-Shaped Islands Symbolize Dubai's New Wealth

USA Today: Dubai's palm island being readied for first residents

The World AE

Three Gorges Dam, China:

The world's largest construction project is currently under way to build the world's largest dam. When completed, the $25 billion Three Gorges Dam will improve navigation and maintain flood control along one of the world's deadliest rivers, the Yangtze, as well as produce power for billions of Chinese people. The project began in 1993 and is scheduled for completion in 2009.

The Chicago Spire, Chicago, Illinois:

North America's tallest structure, a 2000 foot tall, 150-story, residential skyscraper has been proposed for Chicago's lakefront. Completion would be scheduled for 2010. Estimated costs for the project exceed $1 billion.

For additional information please visit:

TheChicagoSpire.com

Wikipedia: Chicago Spire

Glass, Steel, and Stone: The Fordham Spire

Freedom Ship International: City at Sea:

The Freedom Ship will be the permanent home to thousands of "citizens" who will live and work there while circling the globe every three years.

For additional information please visit:

Freedom Ship International: City at Sea

Popular Mechanics.com: City at Sea

The Crew Exploration Vehicle:

A multi-billion dollar Crew Exploration Vehicle has been proposed by NASA to replace the aging Space Shuttle fleet. The CEV would primarily be used for manned lunar missions scheduled for 2018.

Atwater Theme Park Project, Atwater, California:

The Atwater Theme Park Project is a proposed 65 acre complex which will include a state of the art beach & boardwalk style themed amusement area, a 500 room luxury hotel, a shopping mall, an amphitheater, an Ice skating arena, a monorail, a technology center, an agricultural center, and it's own Amtrak station. It will be located near Yosemite National Park. No start date is set.

For additional information please visit:

Atwater Theme Park Project, LLC

The American Flagship Project: A Floating American City:

Three enormous American cruise ships, each nearly 2,000 feet long, have been proposed by the World City Corporation. Each "floating city" would carry over 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members. Its massive decks would contain separate buildings which would resemble a city.

For additional information please visit:

The American Flagship Project: A Floating American City

The World Trade Center, New York, New York:

At 1,776 feet tall, the Freedom Tower will replace the two 1,400 foot twin towers which were toppled on September 11, 2001. Groundbreaking for the tallest building in America was held on July 4, 2004 and completion is scheduled for 2009. In addition, a $4.5 billion underground transportation center is planned and will be similar in size to Grand Central Station.

MOSE (Venice Tide Barrier Project), Venice, Italy:

A project to construct a series of 79 inflatable watertight gates is underway on the floor of the Adraiatic Sea to prevent tides over 40 inches from entering Venice's lagoon. The project is scheduled for completion sometime around 2012.

For additional information please visit:

SAL.VE - Activities for the safeguarding of Venice and its lagoon

ArchitectureWeek: Saving Venice

Hoover Dam Bypass Project, Nevada-Arizona Border:

Begun in 2002, America's largest concrete arch bridge will rise more than 800 feet above the Colorado River to ease congestion on Highway 93. The four lane bridge will be 1,900 feet long and will be located 1,500 feet downstream from the dam. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the $200 million project will also re-align Highway 93 with several new interchanges, approach bridges, and a new tunnel.

For additional information please visit:

Slopeindicator.com: Hoover Dam Bypass Project, USct

Wikipedia.com: Hoover Dam Bypass

Toshka Project - Mubarak Pumping Station, Lake Nasser, Egypt

The world's largest irregation project will transform almost 600 million acres of the Sahara Desert into habitable space and farmland. The project is expected to exceed $70 billion.

The Capitol Visitor Center, Washington, DC

Encompassing almost 580,000 square feet of enclosed space, the underground Capitol Visitor Center is the largest construction project ever undertaken in Washington, DC. Adjacent to the eastern facade of the US Capitol Building, the complex includes a great hall, theaters, a cafeteria, and exhibition space. Construction on the project, which costs more than $550 million, began in Spring 2000 and is scheduled for completion by Fall 2008.

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No civilization is as obsessed with technology than Western civilization and

no Western country is more driven than America. It should be no surprise

then, that the cultural diversity of the United States provides unique

technological advantages over rest of the world and that America's influence

on world architecture is profound.

Things Under Construction provides a sampling of the world's most monumental construction projects currently underway, recently completed, or proposed. Projects may include: amusement parks, bridges, dams, hotels, malls, monuments, museums, oil rigs, pipelines, planes, power plants, railroads, roads, ships, shopping centers, skyscrapers, space vehicles, stadiums, towers, tunnels, and weapons. Suggestions for additions to this list are encouraged.

Welcome!

Today, the phrase "if you build it they will come" has never been more appropriate. Progress is Mankind's destiny and the quest to build anything bigger, smaller, taller, longer, faster, more powerful, or more efficient will never end. As technology improves, the quest becomes greater.

Every great civilization has impacted Humanity through its architecture and the effectiveness of its engineering has l