DALLAS, TX — Texas Central Railroad is leveraging the experience and expertise of Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. (Kiewit) and affiliate Mass. Electric Construction Co. (Mass Electric) to install the core electrical systems needed for the high-speed train from Dallas to Houston to operate. The $1.6-billion contract with Kiewit includes the installation of core electrical systems including critical safety and systems elements like traction power, signaling, and communications equipment.

The core systems that will be installed are a key component of the N700S Shinkansen technology being deployed for the Texas Central Railroad. Texas Central is using an integrated approach ensuring all parts of construction and operations are married together both for safety and for efficient and cost-effective operations.

"Kiewit and Mass. Electric are national leaders in installing complex and large-scale electric systems and have long track records of delivering high-quality rail systems safely and effectively," said Carlos Aguilar, CEO of Texas Central Railroad. "Combining their experience with the safety of an integrated system is essential to the operation of the Texas Central Railroad."

"We commend Texas Central on their commitment to delivering the first high-speed rail system in the United States," said Mark Williams, Kiewit's Project Director at Mass. Electric. "Through their leadership and our extensive rail experience and expertise, we are well-equipped for success."

The system Texas Central Railroad proposes to build in Texas will replicate the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system. Texas Central chose this system because of its reputation as being one of the safest and most punctual train systems in the world. In its over 55-year history, it has transported over 10 billion passengers with a safety record of zero operational passenger fatalities and zero accidents since first deployed.

The project will create an estimated 17,000 direct jobs during the six years of construction, over 20,000 supply chain jobs, and more than 1,400 direct permanent jobs when the train is fully operational. The Texas Central project will use $7.3 billion of materials from U.S. companies across 37 states. And, over the next 25 years, this project will have a direct cumulative economic impact of $36 billion.

In addition, Kiewit and MEC will work closely with local trades across Texas including the craftsmen and women in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.