Texas Central has taken another step this week, signing a memorandum of understanding with the City of Houston. The agreement says Texas Central is committed to recruiting construction contractors, subcontractors and employees from the Houston-area job market for the construction of the high-speed rail project and its maintenance and operation. At least a third of the permanent jobs after construction will be created within the city, according to the agreement. Earlier this week Texas Central chose its preferred design-build firms for the roughly $10B project.
The agreement says the city and Texas Central will be collaborating in several areas:
Providing environmental surveys, civil engineering and utility feasibility studies of certain city property and rights of way as part of the determination of the train’s final route.
Coordinating with Harris County, METRO, the Gulf Coast Rail District and the Texas Department of Transportation to plan and design the Hempstead Corridor.
Participating in the study and design of “efficient multi-modal connections” between the Houston station and the city’s major activity centers.
Ensuring supportive service facilities for the bullet train are within the current or future city limits of Houston, subject to federal regulations and statutes.
Developing a minority, women and small-business enterprises program in line with the city’s goals for professional services, development, construction, supplier and other related services.
