DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texas Central, developer of the investor-owned high-speed train project, announced today an agreement with Irving, Texas-based Fluor Enterprises Inc., the primary operating subsidiary of Fluor Corporation, and The Lane Construction Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Salini Impregilo, as the project moves into its next phase.
Texas Central, Fluor and Lane will be working together on refining and updating the project’s construction planning and sequencing, scheduling and cost estimates, procurement and other design and engineering activities related to the civil infrastructure.
The announcement marks a significant step in the development of the innovative multi-billion-dollar project – a 240-mile line that will connect North Texas and Houston in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley.
Under the agreement, after the development phase and financial close, Fluor and Lane would be the preferred design-builder of the project.
“This underscores the attention the Texas Bullet Train has received from world-class firms, wanting to be part of a project that will revolutionize travel here and generate long-lasting local economic benefits,” Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar said.
“We are excited to partner with firms that have deep Texas roots. This is the latest in a long list of Texas-based companies helping build the train, including Freese & Nichols, Contract Land Staff and Survey And Mapping,” Aguilar said.
He said the investor-led project, which is not taking federal or state grants for its construction or operations, wanted a partnership familiar with Texas, focused on creating jobs and opportunities here.
Fluor has expertise designing and constructing high-speed train infrastructure, along with a record of accomplishment on large, complex civil construction projects for more than 100 years. Lane has more than 125 years of experience in leading heavy civil construction projects, specializing in highways, bridges, rail, metro and mass transit, airport systems, and power and energy projects.
“The ramp up on the design and engineering reflects continued progress for the high-speed train. This is a major milestone for a project that links two of the nation’s largest commercial hubs and gives Texans a safe and reliable alternative over congested highway and air travel,” Aguilar said.
Hans Dekker, president of Fluor’s infrastructure business line, said: “Fluor’s global expertise in developing the world’s largest megaprojects, matched with its ability to provide integrated solutions to clients across the globe, position the company well with Texas Central.”
“We will use our industry experience and proven track record of delivering high-speed rail projects to provide high-value services for this significant infrastructure project,” Dekker said.
Texas Central said Fluor and Lane have no equity or ownership stake in the project and will not be involved in land acquisition.
Lane has been involved in extensive mass transit works in the U.S., performing all aspects of work, including design, permitting, quality control, environmental requirements, construction, system integration and system safety certification.
Robert E. Alger, President and CEO of The Lane Construction Corporation, said: “This will be America’s first true high-speed train, and we’re eager to be part of the next generation of sustainable infrastructure. The project will create benefits for generations to come while providing an innovative transportation alternative for Texas commuters.”
Lane has been working in Texas continually since the early 1980s. Among its Texas projects, it is leading a $300 million design-build joint venture to construct managed lanes on SH 360 from Interstate 20 to US 287 south of Arlington; extending runways and taxiways at Ft. Worth Alliance Airport; and reconstructing segments of Interstate 35 in North Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. The signature Brazos River Bridges on I-35 in Waco won the 2014 Engineering Excellence Award. Lane is also a joint venture partner on the $1 billion I-35 Express project from Dallas to Denton.
Its parent company, Salini Impregilo, has substantial experience in high-speed trains in Italy with the Bologna-Firenze, Milano Torino, and current Milano-Genova lines, as well as in other countries. They are currently active in the construction of metro systems and railway lines such as the Red Line in Doha (Qatar), one of the largest infrastructure developments in the Middle East; Line 3 of Riyadh’s new metro (Saudi Arabia); and Cityringen, Copenhagen’s new metro (Denmark).
In Texas, work is advancing on the high-speed train every day, preparing the environmental assessments, engineering and other areas. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) continues to work on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will help determine the project timeline and final route.
ABOUT TEXAS CENTRAL
Texas Central is developing a new high-speed train that will connect North Texas, the Brazos Valley and Houston, using proven, world-class technology. The 90-minute trip will provide a safe, reliable and productive transportation alternative. The company’s market-led approach is backed by investors, not government grants, a new business model for infrastructure advances. Texas Central and its affiliated entities will be responsible for the system’s design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance. See more at www.texascentral.com.
ABOUT FLUOR
Fluor Corporation is one of the world’s largest publicly traded engineering, procurement, construction maintenance, and project management companies. Fluor works with governments and businesses in diverse industries around the world to design, construct, and maintain complex and challenging capital projects. With headquarters in Irving, Texas, Fluor ranks 149 on the FORTUNE 500 list with revenue of $19 billion in 2016 and has more than 60,000 employees worldwide. See more at www.fluor.com.
ABOUT THE LANE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
Founded in 1890, The Lane Construction Corporation is a leading U.S. construction company specializing in heavy civil construction services and products in the transportation, infrastructure and energy industries. The company has a unique combination of capabilities, including public-private partnerships/innovative financing and joint ventures; large, complex design-build and bid-build projects; as well as the ability to produce and install asphalt, aggregates and concrete. Lane’s resources, innovative solutions and emphasis on safety and quality control – combined with its expertise in engineering, procurement and construction project management – produce high-quality results. Lane is owned by global construction leader, Salini Impregilo. See more at www.laneconstruct.com.
