Texas DOT issued a new RFQ on June 30 for a 37.5-mile segment of Houston’s SH 99 Grand Parkway outer loop to be built under an estimated $1.2-billion design-build contract with a maintenance option.

Teams led by joint venture Williams Brothers/J.D. Abrams and Zachary/Odebrecht already are building a 53-mile segment of the toll road under design-build contracts awarded in 2013 worth $2.9 billion. Bidders were required to respond to an RFP with proposals for both a P3 and public alternative. The design-build public finance option was adopted and an $840 million TIFIA loan was made in February 2014.

For this new contract, an earlier RFQ was issued in September 2013 for DBFOM development of a toll concession under a comprehensive agreement. That option also was dropped in favor of design-build.