Spanish train operator Renfe on Thursday said it had signed a $6-billion
deal with US rail developer Texas Central to design, build and run a
high-speed rail line in the United States.
In a statement, Spain's transport ministry said the 5.5-billion-euro
($5.9 billion) agreement would see Renfe work alongside its US partner
to develop and operate a line between Houston and Dallas that is to
become operational in 2026.
The two firms have signed a preliminary agreement but it is still in
draft phase, said Renfe, Spain's national rail operator.
The Italian construction and engineering firm Salini Impregilo will be
in charge of building the 386-kilometre (240-mile) line, the statement
said.
For Renfe, the contract's design and construction phase is worth about
$311 million, while operating and maintaining the line from 2026 to 2042
is expected to bring in another $5.6 billion.
Described by Texas Central as the "bullet train", the project aims to
link the two cities in less than 90 minutes including a stop at Brazos
Valley.
Texas Central Partners is a private company set up for the rail
project, which Renfe has described as the first-ever high-speed line in
the United States.
The US company Amtrak runs Acela trains between Boston and
Washington however that it says can hit speeds of up to 150 miles per
hour.
https://www.thelocal.es/20200221/spains-renfe-is-going-to-build-a-high-speed-rail-service-in-the-usa