Marina Coastal Expressway

Singapore

Architecture

5 of the Most Expensive Highways Ever Built

Singapore's 3-mile-long Marina Coastal Expressway took five years and $4.3 billion to complete, opening in 2013.

The main reason for the lengthy build is that a significant proportion of this five-lane highway consists of a 1,378-foot-long tunnel, part of which is underwater. At its deepest point, the road runs 66 feet beneath the seabed south of the Marina Barrage. The unpredictable currents and soft ground — comprising marine clay, alluvium, and infill material — made the build difficult. Techniques employed to keep it stable and watertight didn't come cheap, which helps to account for the road's high price tag. However, the build quality of the Marina Coastal Expressway is reported to be exceptional, with the smoothness of the surface achieved by cutting-edge laser technology.

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