In the U.S., McKinsey estimates that large infrastructure projects typically take 4 to 5 years to go through federal permitting before construction can begin.
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insigh...
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insigh...
What? The Pyramids, Roman aqueducts, domes, et cetera weren’t innovations?