ConDig (06-Nov-18). Subsidiaries of Texas-based civil contractor Sterling Construction Co have landed a $17.2 million design-build contract for Phase I of the Houston Spaceport project at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas.
Under the deal with the Houston City Council, Texas Sterling Construction Co. (TSC) and J. Banicki Construction, Inc. will build infrastructure to support the development of 90 acres set aside for Phase I, including streets, water, wastewater, electrical power distribution facilities and communications facilities.
Design on the project has started and construction is slated to begin in the first quarter of next year, with completion set for early 2020.
“We are very excited to be partnering with the City of Houston on such an innovative project like the Houston Spaceport. Our efforts in developing the infrastructure will ultimately lay the groundwork for revolutionary advancements in aerospace engineering activities for years to come,” said Joe Cutillo, Sterling’s chief executive officer.
“Space infrastructure projects are a natural extension of airport infrastructure construction work, which is a market where we have significant capabilities and a growing presence, with a number of new project awards over the past several years.”
The Houston Spaceport is expected to become a takeoff site for space vehicles and allow for commercial supersonic air travel that could take flyers to Europe in a couple of hours.
It is based at the 100-year-old Ellington Airport, in Southeast Houston, which is a military airport that allows for private takeoffs and landings.
Officials have earmarked 90 acres of land for the spaceport. It will be used for the launching of micro satellites, astronaut training, zero gravity experimentation, spacecraft manufacturing and other potential activities, including space tourism.
Phase 1 of the construction project includes plans for a co-working space located near the Houston Aerospace Support Center, while the majority of the early funding will go to pre-construction and design services and construction phase services.
Last week, a subsidiary of Texas-based civil contractor Sterling Construction Co and a joint venture partner secured a $200-plus contract to upgrade Interstate 25 in Colorado.