An infrastructure project provides the basic structures and facilities that a society needs to function, including roads, bridges, highways and public transportation; water systems, such as dams, ports and harbors and water treatment plants; power systems, including transmission lines and electric power plants; and communications networks, including fiber optic networks and cellular towers.

Major infrastructure projects can drive economic growth during construction and contribute to long-term economic development by facilitating transport, trade and access to resources and services. They also play a key role in enhancing the quality of life by enabling safer and more efficient travel options.

As such, infrastructure projects are often viewed as important investments and essential to the economic prosperity of a country. However, a number of challenges can be associated with infrastructure projects, from funding to political and logistical issues. In addition, infrastructure projects can be more challenging to get off the ground because of complex planning and budgeting processes.

These challenges can be mitigated by ensuring that projects are designed to maximize utility for the greatest number of people, including socially inclusive infrastructure, which is based on principles such as equality and a holistic approach to designing and delivering services. Further, a more transparent system of financing and investment for infrastructure projects can help foster public-private partnerships by standardizing transparency, contracts and pricing, labor requirements and risk allocation.