DALLAS, TX Texas Central, developer of the investor-owned high-speed train project, announces an agreement with Irving, Texas, -based Fluor Enterprises Inc., the primary operating subsidiary of Fluor Corporation and The Lane Construction Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salini Impregilo, as the project moves into its next phase. 

Texas Central, Fluor, and Lane will be working together on refining and updating the project's construction planning and sequencing, scheduling and cost estimates, procurement and other design and engineering activities related to the civil infrastructure. 

The announcement marks a significant step in the development of the innovative multi-billion-dollar project - a 240-mile line that will connect North Texas and Houston, Texas, in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley.

Under the agreement, after the development phase and financial close, Fluor and Lane would be the preferred design-builder of the project.

Fluor has expertise designing and constructing high-speed train infrastructure, along with a record of accomplishment on large, complex civil construction projects for more than 100 years. Lane has more than 125 years of experience in leading heavy civil construction projects, specializing in highways, bridges, rail, metro and mass transit, airport systems, and power and energy projects. 

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

Lane has been involved in extensive mass transit works in the U.S., performing all aspects of work, including design, permitting, quality control, environmental requirements, construction, system integration and system safety certification.

In Texas, work is advancing on the high-speed train every day, preparing the environmental assessments, engineering and other areas. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) continues to work on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will help determine the project timeline and final route.