Texas Central selects WSP for engineering work on bullet-train project

Texas Central announced today that WSP USA will provide engineering support to the proposed North Texas-to-Houston bullet-train project.

Formerly known as WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, WSP USA will focus on engineering, cost estimating and scheduling, said Texas Central officials in a press release. 

Texas Central, the bullet train's developer, cited WSP's "award-winning experience in designing infrastructure projects" in announcing the company's selection.

The multibillion-dollar project involves construction of a 240-mile line between North Texas and Houston, with a stop in Brazos Valley. The project would produce the first privately owned, built and operated high-speed rail line in the United States.

Today's announcement reflects the continued progress of the high-speed train, coming weeks after Texas Central selected Fluor Enterprises and The Lane Construction Corp. to perform pre-construction planning, Texas Central officials said.

"We are excited to partner with WSP, a company that has been involved in many iconic transportation projects around the world," Texas Central Chief Executive Officer Carlos Aguilar said. "This further demonstrates the attention the Texas bullet train has received from world-class firms with such scale and experience."

The bullet train is a "transformational project," said Joseph Pulicare, president of transportation and infrastructure for WSP USA.

"WSP's expertise in major infrastructure projects and our team of seasoned professionals position us well to ramp up quickly in support of the Texas bullet train," Pulicare said.

The firm already staffed dozens of full-time personnel on the project to assist Fluor and Lane. 

WSP has been a part of numerous high-speed rail projects around the world, including Taiwan, California, China, the United Kingdom and, most recently, a high-speed rail system that will connect Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

To learn more about the Texas bullet-train project, read this feature in the September issue of Progressive Railroading.