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The Texas Transportation Commission has awarded the SH 288 highway PPP project in Texas, USA, to Blueridge Transportation Group.

The winning consortium is composed by ACS Servicios y Concesiones, S.L., InfraRed Capital Partners Limited, Shikun & Binui Concessions USA, Inc. and a team of local and national leaders in the construction and design industry.

The team beat out competition form a consortium composed by OHL Concesiones and Macquarie Capital Group Limited and form  Cintra Infraestructuras, S.A.

The project consists of a 10.3-mile section of SH 288 from US 59 to the Harris County line at Clear Creek in Harris County.

The project includes the following:

• The design, construction, maintenance, and operation of four tolled lanes within the median of SH 288 from US 59 to the Harris County line at Clear Creek
• The design, construction, maintenance, and operation of up to eight direct connectors at Beltway 8
• The maintenance and operation of the general purpose lanes and associated facilities along the 10.3-mile section of SH 288.

Additionally, the project includes construction of direct connectors to provide access from SH 288 tolled lanes to the Texas Medical Center; eight direct connectors at Beltway 8; and rebuilds most of the I-610/SH 288 interchange.

Design and construction is expected to move forward in late 2015 with an estimated completion in early 2019.

The toll concession project represents the first in the Houston area where a private contractor will design, finance, build, operate and maintain the facility.

The total project investment is estimated at US$800 million.

Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Moseley stated:

"Moving forward with this project will make it easier and safer for people working and commuting to and from one of world's largest medical center complexes. It is a good day for transportation when we can launch a project that benefits businesses and improves quality of life."

During February we have reported about several transport PPP projects in the USA:

• LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal Building Replacement P3 Project
• Maryland Light Rail Purple Line P3
• Reconstruction of Interstate 70 East (I-70E) in Colorado
• Florida LYNX CNG fueling stations PPP project
• Illiana Expressway P3 - Indiana portion
• Brent Spence bridge in Ohio
• DIA Great Hall redevelopment PPP project
• I-77 HOT lanes P3 project
• US Route 35 PPP project in West Virginia