Why America Can't Build Big Anymore

A major new report reveals a troubling trend: the United States has lost its ability to build large projects quickly and affordably. The study, from the Brookings Institution, shows that excessive regulations, complex legal challenges, and fragmented decision-making have created a system of "permitting paralysis." This means essential infrastructure—like airports, railways, and clean energy facilities—faces years of delays and skyrocketing costs before construction even begins. Experts cite a comparison with other developed nations. Where countries like France or Canada might take a few years to approve and build a new transit line, similar projects in the U.S. can take decades. The consequences are wide-ranging. This inertia slows the transition to green energy, hampers economic competitiveness, and fails to modernize aging roads and bridges. While there is broad agreement on the need for new infrastructure, the current process for approval has become a major barrier. The report calls for a systematic overhaul to streamline approvals while maintaining strong environmental and community protections. Without significant reform, the authors warn, America’s ambition to build will continue to be stifled by its own bureaucracy.