Infra Insight Blog

On Dec. 9, 2012, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) soliciting qualifications from teams interested in entering into a design-build contract and a potential capital maintenance agreement for the Dallas Horseshoe Project.  Following a three-month process, which included questions and answers from interested industry participants, TxDOT received seven Qualification Statemelnts on Feb. 22, 2012.  Over the next month, the Qualification Statements were evaluated by TxDOT.  On March 29, 2012, TxDOT announced the short list of the teams most qualified to compete for the Horseshoe design-build contract.  Below is a listing of the shortlisted teams, along with the major equity members, that will be invited to submit detailed proposals.

TxDOT anticipates issuing an Industry Review draft Request for Proposals in April 2012 and the final Request for Proposals in early July, with the expectation that a design-build contract can be executed with the best value proposer in winter 2012-13. 

Aptly dubbed the Horseshoe Project due to its U-shape, the $818 million highway project will upgrade the I-30 bridge, part of the Mixmaster, and both the north and southbound I-35E bridges in one of the most congested areas in downtown Dallas. TxDOT has concluded that the use of the design-build development approach is the best way to ensure cost-effective and expedited delivery of this project and provide needed congestion relief to the public, while addressing safety and traffic congestion concerns.

This is one of several active mega design/build projects being pursued by TxDOT, including the Grand Parkway in the Houston area.