Texas Central selects joint venture for high-speed rail line's pre-construction work

Texas Central Partners announced today the company has selected Dallas to Houston Constructors (DHC) to perform engineering and pre-construction work for the private company's plan to build a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston.

The announcement is a milestone in the company’s history in that it moves the proposal into the pre-construction phase, company officials said in a press release.

DHC is a joint venture between Archer Western Construction and Ferrovial Agroman US Corp. Texas Central valued their work on the project at $130 million.

"DHC is offering its services at no upfront cost to our Texas project, for the opportunity of later being selected as the preferred builder," Keith said in a statement. "This is a unique partnership, and another example of how our private project is advancing in creative ways and attracting wide interest from companies wanting a role in its development."

Combined with the $75 million in capital raised from private Texas-based investors, DHC's in-kind commitment means the company has secured more than $200 million in capital and work product, which is halfway to the $400 million needed to be committed to the project before moving to the final construction phase, company officials said.

DHC's work will focus on engineering, cost estimation and construction activities and not as the project's developer. The joint venture will have no equity or ownership stake in the project and will not be involved in land acquisition, Texas Central officials said.