The contract includes the design and construction of the viaduct and embankment sections along the entire route, installation of track and construction of all maintenance and rail system equipment buildings.

The agreement authorises a set of early works for the joint venture to continue advancing

engineering design, detailed planning, interface definition and other key prerequisites necessary to start construction. The contract follows on from previous work to provide front-end civil engineering and design.

Texas Central says the cost of the civil works element of the $US 20bn project is estimated at $US 14bn.

“This agreement brings us one step closer to beginning construction of the civil infrastructure segments of the project,” says Texas Central’s CEO Mr Carlos Aguilar.

Earlier this month, the Federal Railroad Administration granted regulatory approval for the project.

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