The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast31 Jul 2025

Billion-Dollar Blunders: The True Cost of China’s Global Buildout

Double-digit, billion-dollar investments into infrastructure projects going down the drain with them? 😨

In this episode, Mark Oakeson joins us again to dive into the wave of mega infrastructure projects built by China across the globe that are already cracking, leaking, and flat-out shutting down.

These are massive, government-funded projects that were supposed to last 50+ years…but instead, they’re turning into billion-dollar blunders. Why?

Why are they failing so fast? What went wrong during design and construction (and politics)? And most importantly, what can we civil engineers learn from it? Especially now with the U.S. pouring billions into infrastructure upgrades after the 2021 bill? 🤔

🎧 Hit play and let’s break down what happens when quality takes a backseat in civil engineering and what we can learn from it to avoid making the same mistake in the US. 😉

🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:

China’s Global Infrastructure Boom
5 Chinese-Built Projects That are Falling Apart…in Less Than 10 Years of Service
2 Reasons Why These Projects Are Already Failing
What the Experts Say Is the Root Cause of These Failures
Why a Contract-Based Model to Pick the Winner Firm Doesn't Work as Well as Bids
Is There a Hidden Chinese Agenda Behind Those Projects Across the World?
Can China Improve Their Construction Approach and Quality?
Why the Cost of Projects is Not the Only Thing That Matters
Lessons for U.S. Infrastructure Spending That are Worth Their Weight in Gold!

🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Wall Street Journal Article

Coca Codo Sinclair Dam

Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant

Isimba Hydro Power Plant

Karuma Hydro Power Plant

🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:

The Civil FE Startup Guide

The Civil PE Startup Guide

🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:

Civil FE Review Course

Civil PE Review Courses

📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:

FE Practice Exams

FE CBT Exam Simulator

PE Bonus Theory Questions

PE Practice Exams

PE CBT Exam Simulator

FE Environmental Practice Exam

PE Environmental Practice Exam

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