Texas & Southeast Pulse: April 2025
Contracts, Bids, Proposals
North Carolina
The North Carolina Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT) is preparing to accept bids for the $804-million design-build project to widen Interstate 85 in Belmont. The project will replace bridges and reconstruct interchanges from NC 7 (Exit 23) to east of NC 273 (Exit 27) and make improvements to the intersection at NC 7 and US 29/74 in Belmont in Gaston County. The design-build team will design and construct an eight-lane divided facility with a 26-ft median from NC 7 to east of NC 273 and construct I-85 to meet a 65-mph design speed for a freeway designed to interstate standards. Shortlist firms have been selected. Technical proposals are due May 28, and cost proposals are due June 5. NCDOT is aiming for a Nov. 1 start date and July 1, 2027, completion. Carolinas Geotechnical Group is consulting engineer, and HNTB is project manager. North Carolina Dept. of Transportation, 101 S. Tryon St., Ste. 3610, Charlotte, 28280. DR#23-00450297.
Florida
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Dept. is in the predesign phase for a $700-million design-bid-build project to construct a new Sarasota County jail, pending a proposed bond referendum going before voters in November 2026. Phase 1 construction would begin in March 2029 followed by Phase 2 in April 2031, with occupancy expected by 2033. The five-story correctional facility will include 720 beds upon full completion. Another 240 beds are to be added to the top floor by 2042. Sarasota County Sheriff's Dept., 2071 Ringling Blvd., Rm. 127a, Sarasota, 34237. DR#25-00057817.
North Carolina
Tepper Sports & Entertainment and the city of Charlotte are in the planning phases of Bank of America Stadium renovations, an $800-million project including a new field house and renovations to modernize the stadium. HOK - Atlanta is project architect and LandDesign - Charlotte is consulting engineer. The project is the initial portion of a total $1.3-billion in spending on renovations to Bank of America Stadium, home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Renovations include exterior video boards, new sound system, scoreboard and interior video boards as well as improved concessions, expanded team store, new seats and improved accessibility. The contract method is undetermined. Work is expected to start July 1, 2026, and complete Sept. 1, 2029. Tepper Sports & Entertainment, 800 S Mint St., Charlotte, 28202. DR#24-00226664.
Texas
The Texas Dept. of Transportation (TxDOT) and the city of Austin Transportation and Public Works are in the designing and development stages of a $1.5-billion design-bid-build project to construct two high-occupancy-vehicle managed lanes in both directions along Interstate 35 in downtown Austin and to construct a new frontage road boulevard through downtown, reconstruct east-west crossings at Cesar Chavez, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th and 15 streets and to construct pedestrian-only bridges at 3rd, 4th and 15th streets. HDR is listed as program manager and WSP as project engineer. Texas Dept. of Transportation – Austin Dist., 7901 N Interstate 35, Austin, 78753. DR#19-00689182.
Tennessee
In Nashville, Oracle is in the planning schematics phase of its $1.2-billion Oracle Nashville Campus, a design-bid-build project still working through city permitting processes. The 60-acre campus will consist of up to 1.2 million sq ft, including a pedestrian bridge connecting to Germantown and a riverfront park at Cowan Street and Cowan Court. STG Design is listed as project architect, with Terracon Consulting Engineers and KCI Technologies Inc. as consulting engineers; IC Thomasson & Associates as electrical engineer and mechanical engineer; Hawkins Partners Inc. as landscape architect; and The Maynard Group Inc. as owner’s agent. Oracle, 2300 Oracle Way, Austin, 78741. DR#21-00579209.
