This moves the project to the advanced design stage and also finalizes its cost at $16 billion. While one challenge to the line was dismissed by Texas' high court on June 18, other challenges remain.Construction is now expected to begin at the end of 2021 or early 2022, says Erin Ragsdale, Texas Central spokeswoman.
After full notice to proceed, the privately funded project has a six-to-seven-year base construction schedule, Ragsdale adds.
The final contract states that Lane and Webuild will execute all the heavy construction for the project, and design and build all 236 miles of the alignment, the entire track system, along with the buildings and services for maintenance and other equipment, including industrial buildings, train depots and facilities. Almost half of the railway will be elevated to reduce impacts on residents and landowners.
I could've been working on this for the last three years, but decided to stay retired.