Design-Build is shaping the future of American Infrastructure

A 2024 Design-Build Utilization Study by FMI projects design-build to account for more than $1.1 trillion in U.S. construction spending through 2028, nearly half of all spending nationally. This reflects both the magnitude of upcoming work and a clear signal that collaborative delivery has become a strategic necessity for improving our nation’s infrastructure.

Aging systems, climate-related disruptions and workforce constraints are persistent conditions shaping how projects must be planned and delivered. Increasingly, the efforts that test our systems most, post-disaster rebuilds, emergency repairs and community-level disruptions, reveal what effective delivery truly requires. These projects have become a proving ground for the power of design-build.

Design-build’s evolution has been defined by its performance under pressure. Several landmark efforts underscore this potential. The Pentagon’s Phoenix Project restored the damaged section of the building in under a year following the 9/11 attack. Minnesota’s I-35W Bridge replacement reopened a vital connection in just 11 months after its 2007 collapse. Post-Hurricane Katrina pump station and flood-protection work in New Orleans showed the power of design-build to facilitate the rebuilding of critical systems under extraordinary pressure. Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge replacement restored community connectivity in less than a year and set a new standard for future PennDOT projects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, design-build teams rapidly mobilized to build medical facilities and emergency response structures in cities such as New York and Denver.

Recently, the Sanibel Causeway reconstruction reaffirmed these capabilities. After Hurricane Ian severed the island’s only access route in 2022, phased design-build allowed FDOT and its partners to restore emergency access within days and reestablish resident travel within weeks, while developing a long-term solution designed to withstand future storms.

In Tennessee, the Nolichucky River Bridges rebuild offered a similar demonstration. After flash flooding from Hurricane Helene destroyed key crossings in 2024, TDOT used its first progressive design-build contract to mobilize within 72 hours and reopen both bridges more than two months ahead of schedule.

In the energy sector, Energy Northwest’s recent move to use progressive design-build for major capital improvements reflects this same trend, aligning with a broader shift toward PDB on complex, high-stakes projects where early collaboration, innovation and equitable risk management are essential.

Together, these projects form a continuous narrative that crisis conditions have repeatedly expanded what design-build teams can accomplish while giving owners the clarity to plan for long-term resilience. The same structures that enable rapid, coordinated action in emergencies also help teams anticipate future risks and deliver infrastructure that is stronger and more adaptable.
Experience from these projects highlights several principles that should guide future investment. Clearly defined roles, early information-sharing and empowered decision-makers are essential. Trust is also a structural advantage that improves both speed and predictability.

Infrastructure delivery increasingly requires flexibility as conditions shift. Collaborative project delivery methods support iterative design, faster resolution of uncertainties and more efficient management of evolving scopes. Communities expect infrastructure that can withstand environmental, economic and operational uncertainty. These expectations are reshaping design criteria and long-term performance planning. These principles align with broader industry innovation. Owners are prioritizing resilient design and smarter digital tools, and design-build supports these goals by providing early insight into cost, schedule and risk while maintaining flexibility.

At the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), our mission is to equip owners and practitioners to succeed in this environment. Through best practices, certification, advocacy and education, we ensure teams have the tools and knowledge required to deliver high-performing projects. Our Design-Build in Times of Crisis report reinforces how collaboration, early engagement and shared accountability are essential to infrastructure that meets community needs.

FMI’s market research further illustrates that design-build is expanding rapidly across every major sector, with water and wastewater leading industry growth and transportation representing the largest share of overall spending.

The U.S. is entering a period of substantial reinvestment across nearly every sector. Decisions made now will shape system performance for decades. Delivery methods must go beyond schedule and budget requirements to support long-term resilience and adaptability.

Design-build continues to demonstrate that aligned teams are better positioned to meet these demands. Its success is the result of intentional structure, clear accountability and early collaboration.
As the industry prepares for the next wave of investment, our collective responsibility is to choose approaches that prioritize long-term value, community benefit and reliable outcomes.

Lisa Washington, CAE, Executive Director and CEO, Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). She may be reached at executive@dbia.org

This column was featured in our Nov/Dec issue of American Infrastructure. Read more here.