Texas Central signs design-build contract for bullet train project

Texas Central late last week announced it signed a contract with the Salini-Impreglio joint venture and its U.S. subsidiary Lane Construction Co. for the design and construction of a proposed high-speed rail service between Dallas and Houston.

As part of the design-build scope, Salini-Lane will supply the civil infrastructure work, including design and construction of the viaduct and embankment sections along the entire route, the installation of the track system and construction of related buildings and services along the route that will house maintenance and other rail system equipment, Texas Central officials said in a press release.

A financial value for the contract was not released.

“This agreement brings us one step closer to beginning construction of the civil infrastructure segments of the project. Salini-Lane’s unmatched track record with rail infrastructure, and very specifically its world class high-speed rail expertise across the globe, will be central to the completion of America’s first end to end high-speed rail system,” said Texas Central Chief Executive Officer Carlos Aguilar.

Since Texas Central and Salini-Lane signed a limited notice to proceed agreement last year, Salini-Lane has focused on front-end engineering, design and planning of the train’s civil infrastructure. That work helped to develop this design-build contract, Texas Central officials said.