November 5, 2024

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, today announces that it has been awarded a $746 million contract by the Texas Department of Transportation to rebuild part of the Interstate 35 (I-35) through Austin, Texas.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: “This latest contract award demonstrates our leading civil engineering capabilities and is testament to our 30-year history of delivering projects for the Texas Department of Transportation. Our selective bidding approach ensures that we leverage our strengths to work with long-term customers in the geographies in which we have proven expertise, strong teams and trusted supply chain partners.”

Balfour Beatty will reconstruct an approximately 2.5-mile section of the route on the south side of downtown Austin which on completion will provide eight general purpose lanes, a major new intersection and multiple upgraded access roads.

A new bridge will also be built across the 416-acre Lady Bird Lake located on the Colorado River, replacing the existing bridge which was built in 1956. Due to the expansive area and water-based nature of the works, the bridge will be constructed from a barge, requiring complex engineering and marine expertise. Additionally, the project features a bridge and innovative intersection at Riverside Drive to support the future light rail line which will expand and improve the public transport network in the Central Texas Region.

"We're thrilled to continue our nearly 30-year partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation on this critical highway project," said Mark Johnnie, Balfour Beatty US Civils senior vice president and chief operating officer. "This award not only allows us to apply our extensive highway construction expertise but also brings in our specialized overwater bridge replacement capabilities from another region. We're committed to delivering this vital transportation solution with our best-in-class resources, ultimately improving mobility for travelers in the Austin area."

The project forms part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s I-35 Capital Express Central project to significantly improve connectivity and enhance capacity for the 200,000 drivers who use this segment of the interstate daily.  

Main construction will commence in the first half of 2025 with completion expected in 2033. At peak construction, Balfour Beatty will directly employ over 150 people.