Texan transport team
begins European mission

17 September 2003

Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) arrived in London yesterday on the first leg of a European tour to promote involvement in the Trans Texas Corridor - the largest engineering project ever proposed for Texas.

Representing an investment of between US$142.2 billion and US$183.5 billion  the Trans Texas Corridor is a series of infrastructure corridors located throughout Texas. The 6,700km corridor will include separate lanes for passenger vehicles (three in each direction) and trucks (two in each direction), six rail lines (three in each direction); two tracks for high-speed passenger rail, two for commuter rail and two for freight. The corridor will also include a 60m dedicated utility zone, for power, oil and gas.

The Trans Texas Corridor programme has identified a range of opportunities for public-private partnerships. In particular, there are major opportunities for European business partners with creative solutions for equity participation and concession models.

While in the UK the team will be meeting with a number of development, construction and funding organisations - with the aim of gauging British interest for the Trans Texas Corridor. Over the next 14 days, their mission will extend to Paris, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.

The European mission is being organised by Halcrow, one of the UK's leading infrastructure consultants, as part of its ongoing work to support the TxDOT. Future inputs will include procurement advice and transport expertise for the development of the Trans Texas Corridor.

World Highways