Energy megaprojects again dominate the largest construction starts in the Texas and Southeast region, with LNG export terminals and hyperscale data centers driving a sharp jump in activity in 2025. The region continues to see a concentration of capital-intensive work, with multibillion-dollar energy and digital infrastructure projects reshaping activity in several states. Topping this year’s list is the $28 billion Calcasieu Pass LNG export pipeline and terminal in Cameron, La., owned by Venture Global LNG. By comparison, this project alone exceeds the combined value of the previous year’s top 10, which totaled just over $19 billion and was led by the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ $2.87 billion Central Everglades Reservoir project in Palm Beach, Fla., and the Tennessee Titans’ $2.1 billion NFL stadium in Nashville.
LNG Megaprojects Drive 2025 begins
The 2025 ranking reaches a scale not seen in recent years. The next decade’s $9 billion Rio Grande LNG Phase 2 project in Brownsville, Texas, ranks second, followed by the $7.5 billion Meta Hyperion Data Center in Richland, La. The 2024 list, by comparison, reflected a more typical year, with significant work in the environmental, energy and advanced manufacturing sectors, including North Carolina expansion and Nordisk. $1.95 billion Bahia NGL Pipeline in Texas.
Data center growth is accelerating
Data centers were a major force in 2025. Lancium’s AI data center buildings in Abilene, Texas, appear twice on the list at $581.8 million each, with DPR Construction and HKS Inc. delivering the two projects. Google occupies three sites: a $510 million data center at the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville, SC, and two $500 million buildings in Stillwater, Oklahoma. CyrusOne’s $750 million DFW10 data center and office in Whitney, Texas, adds to the growing industry footprint.
Infrastructure and sports facilities are also among the biggest initiations of the year. The $1.4 billion reconstruction of Tampa’s Westshore Interchange, led by Superior Construction and The Lane Construction Corp. for the Florida Department of Transportation, it ranks sixth. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ $1.45 billion EverBank Stadium redevelopment in Florida ranks fifth, with Barton Malow Builders and HOK among the project team. Collectively, the 2025 Top Starts reflect a return to large-scale energy work alongside continued strength in data centers, transportation and major civic facilities across the region.
