Mega construction projects are often seen as marvels of modern engineering, designed to solve complex problems or create iconic structures that stand the test of time. However, not all of these projects achieve their intended purpose. In fact, some have become symbols of excess, representing billions of dollars spent on what many consider to be utterly useless or underutilized endeavors. From a nuclear power plant that barely produced electricity to a bridge that’s nearly impossible to cross, these are the most useless mega construction projects of 2023.

Moju Nuclear Power Plant

Located in Fukui, Japan, the Moju Nuclear Power Plant was envisioned as a groundbreaking project that would use recycled nuclear fuel to generate electricity. The concept was ambitious: build a sodium-cooled fast reactor that could efficiently produce power in a country with limited fossil fuel resources. However, this $15 billion project turned out to be one of the biggest failures in nuclear energy history.

Completed in 1986, the plant generated a mere hour of electricity before a series of mishaps led to its shutdown. A sodium leak in 1995 caused a major fire, which was followed by a scandal when plant officials attempted to cover it up. After being restarted in 2010, another incident involving a heavy piece of machinery falling into the reactor vessel led to another shutdown. The plant was plagued by thousands of defects, leading to a final decision in 2017 to dismantle it—a process that will cost an additional $3.5 billion and is not expected to be completed until 2047. Despite its intended purpose, the Moju Nuclear Power Plant stands as a monument to failed engineering and mismanagement.

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) was designed to be a marvel of modern infrastructure, linking three major cities in China with the longest open-sea fixed link in the world. The 55-kilometer bridge-tunnel system, which cost $19 billion to build, includes three cable-stayed bridges, an undersea tunnel, and four artificial islands. However, despite its impressive design and engineering, the bridge has become known as the “Bridge of Tears” due to its low usage and tragic construction history.

The bridge’s utility is severely hampered by the complex permit system required to cross it. Since Hong Kong and Macau are semi-autonomous regions, drivers must obtain special permits, which are difficult and expensive to acquire. As a result, the bridge sees only a few thousand cars each year, far below its intended capacity. Additionally, the bridge’s construction was marred by the deaths of 22 workers and injuries to 600 others. Structural concerns, such as sinking artificial islands and failing seawalls, further undermine the bridge’s viability, making it a costly and underused infrastructure project.

The Most Beautiful Empty Mega Project in the World: H-3 Highway

The H-3 Highway in Hawaii is often cited as one of the most scenic roads in the world, but it is also one of the most controversial and underutilized. Stretching just 16 miles, this $1.3 billion highway connects Pearl Harbor to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Oahu’s Mokapu Peninsula. The highway took nearly 40 years to complete, with construction delayed by protests, lawsuits, and environmental concerns.

Despite its stunning views and impressive engineering, the H-3 Highway is almost always empty, used primarily by the U.S. military and infrequent civilian traffic. The highway’s construction also disrupted sacred Native Hawaiian sites, leading to lingering resentment and the belief that it is haunted by the spirits of those whose resting places were disturbed. While it offers breathtaking scenery, the H-3 Highway is a prime example of a beautiful yet largely unused mega project.

The Trump Wall

One of the most politically charged mega projects in recent American history, the Trump Wall was intended to be a 1,000-mile-long barrier between the United States and Mexico. However, only 470 miles were constructed, with just 46 miles being new construction—the rest involved refurbishing existing barriers. Despite costing $15 billion, the wall has been widely criticized for its ineffectiveness, with reports of sections being climbable and even falling over in bad weather.

Maintenance of the wall is projected to cost an additional $28 billion per year, raising further questions about its value. Critics argue that the money spent on the wall could have been used for more effective border security measures or other public needs. The Trump Wall stands as a contentious symbol of political ambition, but its practicality and effectiveness remain in serious doubt.

Conclusion

While these mega projects were designed with grand visions in mind, they have largely failed to meet their objectives, becoming symbols of waste and inefficiency. From nuclear reactors that never delivered power to bridges that few can cross, these construction endeavors serve as cautionary tales about the pitfalls of unchecked ambition and the importance of careful planning and execution.

Do you know of any other empty or useless mega projects near you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to like, share, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insights into the world’s most fascinating—and sometimes futile—construction projects.