Texas Central inks pact with Fluor, Lane for bullet train project

Texas Central Partners announced today that Fluor Enterprises and Lane Construction Corp. will be the preferred designer and builder of the private company's proposed bullet train between Dallas and Houston.

Under the agreement, Fluor and Lane will refine and update the project's construction planning and sequencing, scheduling and cost estimates, procurement, and other design and engineering activity related to civil infrastructure, Texas Central officials said in a press release.

After the development phase and financial plan close, Fluor and Lane would be the preferred design-builder of the project, they said.

Fluor is a subsidiary of Fluor Corp.; Lane is a subsidiary of Salini Impreglio. Both Fluor and Lane are based in Irving, Texas.

Today's announcement marks a milestone in Texas Central's three-year efforts to build the 240-mile line that will connect the North Texas area and Houston in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley. The project has been estimated to cost $10 billion to $12 billion.

"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," said Texas Central Chief Executive Officer Carlos Aguilar.

The investor-led project wanted a partnership familiar with Texas, focused on creating local jobs and opportunities, Aguilar said.

Fluor has expertise designing and constructing high-speed rail infrastructure, as well as a record of working 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.

"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," said Hans Dekker, president of Fluor's infrastructure business line.

Lane has worked on all aspects of extensive mass transit projects in the United States.

"This will be America's first true high-speed train, and we're eager to be part of the next generation of sustainable infrastructure," said Lane President and CEO Robert Alger. "The project will create benefits for generations to come while providing an innovative transportation alternative for Texas commuters.”

Fluor and Lane have no equity or ownership stake in the project and will not be involved in land acquisition, Texas Central officials.

The Federal Railroad Administration is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the bullet train project.