Infra Insight Blog

Three months after the May 15, 2015 issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the SH 249 Extension Project is another step closer to development.  The RFQ solicited qualifications from teams interested in entering into a design-build contract and a comprehensive maintenance agreement for the Project.  Following a two-month process, which included questions and answers from interested industry participants and an industry workshop, TxDOT received Qualification Statements from seven teams on July 17, 2015. Over the next month, the Qualification Statements were evaluated by TxDOT.  On August 27, 2015, TxDOT announced the short list of the teams most qualified to compete for the SH 249 Extension Project contracts. Below is a listing of the shortlisted teams, along with the major equity members, that will be invited to submit detailed proposals.

The proposed State Highway 249 Extension Project will be a 24-mile new tolled facility consisting of up to four new toll lanes from FM 1774 in Pinehurst, Texas (Montgomery County) to SH 105 near Navasota, Texas in Grimes County.  Some of the goals for the project are to provide efficient system linkage and to sustain and enhance economic opportunities in the region by improving mobility and connectivity.The next step will be issuance of a draft Request for Proposals by TxDOT, followed by the final Request for Proposals, with the expectation that the winning proposer will be selected and the contracts awarded in April 2016.

Design and construction costs for the project, including specified options, are estimated to be in the range of approximately $410 million, exclusive of right of way and maintenance costs. The design-build contract and comprehensive maintenance agreement will require the selected bidder to design and build the project and then maintain the project for up to 25 years after completion.

This is one of several active design/build projects being pursued by TxDOT in the region, including the Grand Parkway Segments F-1, F-2 and G Project and the Grand Parkway Segments H, I-1 and I-2 Project.