Building a modern infrastructure
An estimated 10,000 new houses are built every year in Northern Ireland and to help support that major investment is being put into the water, roads and public transport systems, including new bus and train stations.
Modernising the water and sewerage infrastructure will also mean the promotion of good health and greater protection for the environment. £1.1 billion of capital investment will upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure – almost £650 for every man, woman and child.
To meet the challenges of the 21st century, Northern Ireland is also reforming its water industry.
Roads and Railways
Since 2001 £180 million has been invested in public transport. This has led to a significant improvement in infrastructure and 23 new passenger trains. During the same period 190 new buses, costing around £23 million, have been introduced and a further 352 buses are being purchased. Over the next ten years £2 billion will be invested to improve roads. This will make public transport a: viable, modern and attractive alternative to the car. It will also provide accessible and reliable services for those who have no other means of transport.
Ports and Airports
Northern Ireland has 5 commercial ports and 3 airports.
The Port of Belfast 
is Northern Ireland's principal maritime gateway, serving both the local economy and the Republic of Ireland’s. Around two thirds of Northern Ireland's seaborne trade, and a quarter of that for Ireland as a whole, is handled at the port which receives over 9000 vessels each year. In 2005/06 Belfast Port handled 17m tonnes of goods, making it the second busiest year in the Port’s 400-year history.
There are three commercial airports in Northern Ireland:
In 2005 around 7.2 million passengers were handled at these airports, more than doubling the figure for 1991. Belfast International Airport catered for 4.8 million of these. The George Best Belfast City Airport is a major regional airport, handling around 2.2 million passengers each year and providing a service to the main regional centres throughout the United Kingdom.
