ConDig (19-Oct-17).  Engineering and construction group Fluor Corp (FLR) has secured a $240 million contract to help restore electricity in Puerto Rico following the devastation caused to the island by a powerful hurricane that hit last month.

Under the deal with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Engineering Center, the Irving, Texas-based company will repair transmission and distribution lines.

The six-month deal includes equipment evaluation and repair, as well as work towards the re-energization and recommissioning of substations and switching stations.

It comes as Hurricane Maria, which was a high-end Category 4 storm, caused widespread damage across Puerto Rico and could cost the island $45 billion to $95 billion.

“Fluor is proud to play an initial role in restoring a sense of normalcy to the people of Puerto Rico,” said Tom D’Agostino, president of Fluor’s government division.

“We have been working in disaster-stricken locations for decades and we’re pleased to work alongside the Army Corps of Engineers’ South Atlantic Division. We look forward to being involved in the crucial effort to restore power to Puerto Rico.”

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released $40 million late last month to help repair roads and bridges in Puerto Rico.

In August, Fluor announced that it had been chosen for the preliminary development of the Texas Bullet Train, a proposed 240-mile high-speed passenger rail line connecting Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.