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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

The world has seen many mega-projects, but not all have turned out as planned.

Let's take a look at some projects that have changed the lives of people and some that failed to get off the ground.

NOTE: Courtesy, Business Insider

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Interstate Highway System

Country: The United States

Inflation-adjusted cost: $459 billion

Cost in 2006: $425 billion

Global rank: 1

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST
A nighttime view of the Earth from the space station.

International Space Station

Country: Not applicable

Cost to date: $150 billion

Global rank: 2

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

King Abdullah Economic City

Country: Saudi Arabia

Inflation-adjusted cost: $95 billion

Cost in 2005: $86 billion

Global rank: 3

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

California High-Speed Rail

Country: The United States

Estimated cost: $98.5 billion

Global rank: 4

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST
A view of Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

Dubailand

Country: The United Arab Emirates

Inflation-adjusted cost: $76 billion

Cost in 2003: $64 billion

Global rank: 5

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST
Incheon Free Economic Zone/Handout/Reuters

Songdo International Business District

Country: South Korea

Estimated cost: $40 billion

Global rank: 6

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Kansai International Airport

Country: Japan

Inflation-adjusted cost: $29 billion

Cost in 1994: $20 billion

Global rank: 7

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Hong Kong International Airport

Country: Hong Kong

Inflation-adjusted cost: $27 billion

Cost in 1998: $20 billion

Global rank: 8

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway

Country: China

Inflation-adjusted cost: $26.1 billion

Cost in 2008: $25.8 billion

Global rank: 9

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Big Dig

Country: The United States

Inflation-adjusted cost: $23.1 billion

Cost in 2007: $22 billion

Global rank: 10

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Toei Oedo line

Country: Japan

Inflation-adjusted cost: $23 billion

Cost in 2000: $18.4 billion

Global rank: 11

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

The Airbus A380

Country: France

Inflation-adjusted cost: $23 billion

Cost in 2005: $22 billion

Global rank: 12

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

Channel Tunnel

Country: The United Kingdom

Inflation-adjusted cost: $22.4 billion

Cost in 1994: $15.4 billion

Global rank: 13

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

The Second Avenue subway expansion

Country: The United States

Inflation-adjusted cost: $17.9 billion

Cost in 2007: $17 billion

Global rank: 14

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Most expensive projects in the world

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 12:39 IST

The John F Kennedy Airport Expansion

Country: The United States

Inflation-adjusted cost: $12.7 billion

Cost in 2001: $10.3 billion

Global rank: 15