ConDig (14-Aug-17).  Lane Construction Corp. and Fluor Corp. have 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.

Under the deal with Texas Central Rail Holdings, Cheshire, Connecticut-based Lane Construction and Irving, Texas-based Flour will refine and update the project’s construction planning, scheduling and cost estimates. They will also head up the design and engineering activities related to the train and passenger stations.

A value for the contract was not announced or an estimate for when construction might start or finish.

But Texas Central said it had agreed that the two companies would be the project’s preferred design-builder once the development phase and financial close are complete.

It comes as Texas Central, which is a privately held company, has spent the past three years developing a plan for the proposed $12 billion-plus project.

The scheme will be backed by private investors and the company has pledged not to seek public money.

“This will be America’s first true high-speed train and we are eager to be part of the next generation of sustainable infrastructure,” said Lane Construction president and ceo Robert E. Alger.

“This project will create benefits for generations to come while providing an innovative transportation alternative for Texas commuters.”

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

The high speed rail line would take travelers between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston in less than 90 minutes, with trains departing every 30 minutes during peak periods.

“The ramp up on the design and engineering reflects continued progress for the high speed train. This is a major milestone for a project that links two of the nation’s largest commercial hubs and gives Texans a safe and reliable alternative over congested highway and air travel,” Texas Central ceo Carlos Aguilar said.