“Texas Central is using a complete system approach, meaning that from the beginning everything is designed and engineered to work together as an integrated unit—the trains, the infrastructure and the supporting high-speed rail technologies Mass. Electric will install,” says Carlos Aguilar, president and CEO of Texas Central. “The core system that will be installed by Mass. Electric is a key component of the N700S Shinkansen technology being deployed for the Texas High-Speed Train and part of what makes this project so unique.”

Mass. Electric has completed over $4 billion worth of transportation projects nationwide, including projects in Houston, Dallas, Denver and Miami.

“This project draws on our extensive experience in delivering high-quality rail systems safely and effectively,” said Mark Williams, project director at Mass. Electric, in a statement. “We are excited to play a key role in the nation’s first high-speed train project.”

An Early Contract Involvement (ECI) agreement with Mass. Electric covers work through the end of 2019 to define the scope, execution plan, schedule and price for a construction contract, which should be signed later this year.

“Texas Central is working with Mass. Electric to define the scope of the project through the early works agreement and expects to sign the design-build agreement before the end of this year,” Aguilar says. If funding is secured by mid-2020, he adds, passenger service could begin as early as 2026.