Life cycle v/s rate of return

The major projects are undertaken considering the rate of return.The is with the view  to recover capital investment as fast as possible.Manly infrastructures,which need periodical maintenance to enhance their life cycle and utility.Take the case of rails/roads,traffic is interrupted whenever maintenance is carried out.  The decision makers should therefore consider the long term cost impacts in the construction,maintenance and transportation.The new technology is available fro Road and Railways construction.The initial investment  may be little bit more but post construction maintenance expenditure  and obstruction in the traffic will get reduced.This will help in saving on revenue and increase in the profit.Similarly in real estate ,new type of material could help in achieving the green concept. The ultimate aim should be to serve the people i.e. investors and the end users.