Parsons signs Houston light rail contract
Construction contract, valued at $1.46 billion, is projected to generate approximately 60,000 direct and indirect jobs before the four light rail lines, approximately 20 miles, are completed.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas (METRO) signed a light rail DBOM contract with Parsons Transportation Group – the largest in the agency’s history.
Early last month Metro’s board of directors approved the $1.46 billion dollar construction contract that is projected to generate approximately 60,000 direct and indirect jobs before four light rail lines, approximately 20 miles, are completed.
As the facility provider, Parsons will be responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining (DBOM) the four new light-rail lines: the North Line, East End Line, Southeast Line and the Uptown Line.
Metro will spend $632 million for the initial phase of the contract, which is expected to create 25,000 jobs and will include utility work for the North and Southeast Lines; build and complete the East End Corridor, including an overpass at Harrisburg for light rail; construction of a service and inspection facility; 29 rail cars from CAF USA Inc.; and final alignment and station configuration for the Uptown Line.
Local small and minority business owners will receive 35 percent, or $335 million in work under the contract.
More Rail

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →
OCTA Maps Out 30-Year Strategy to Protect Coastal Rail Corridor
The draft feasibility report identifies strategies to protect the coastal rail line for decades as the agency continues near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts.
Read More →