McCarthy wins major highway construction project

1McCarthy Building has won its major highway construction contract in central Texas. The company will be paid $96.3 million to build express toll lanes on State Highway 71 near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

McCarthy, headquartered in St. Louis with offices in Dallas and Houston, is seen as one of the largest contractors in the country, but has not been considered a major player in Texas.

Construction is scheduled to start in September. It includes building one toll lane in each direction between Presidential Boulevard at the entrance to the airport and east to State Highway 130, or 4.5 miles in each direction.

The project also includes the construction of a bridge over State Highway 130, ramp construction at that intersection, reconstruction of the intersection of State Highway 71 and FM 973, and the widening of the road between Presidential Boulevard and State Highway 130 to allow for three non-toll lanes in each direction along with a pedestrian pathway system.

If all goes well construction will be completed by summer 2016.

Texas is always looking for ways to improve its transportation infrastructure, including ways to boost revenue. This is ultimately good news for Texas drivers who end up spending way more than the average driver due to bad roads.