With strong support at the local, state, and federal government levels, we’re seeing much-needed improvements to America‘s infrastructure beginning to become a reality. But as the way we live, work, and travel continues to evolve, how do we ensure that the infrastructure of today anticipates and meets the demands of our needs tomorrow?
Visionary leaders are turning to private sector innovations and expertise to partner in delivering multimodal projects that represent the next generation of U.S. infrastructure.
Look no further than a few miles from our nation’s capital. The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project was fully funded by $3.7 billion through private investment that was used to reconstruct general purpose lanes and add dynamically priced managed toll lanes, reducing traffic congestion along the corridor. The project also highlights additional transportation components, including park-n-ride facilities, mixed-use trails, bus rapid transit facilities, and Virginia Rail Express (VRE) line improvements, connecting surrounding communities and providing residents and visitors with choice in how they travel, whether it be to commute to work or visit a nearby neighbor.
We’re also seeing public-private partnerships improve our airport infrastructure.
In New York, the transformative New Terminal One (NTO) project at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a $9.5 billion private investment focused on reimagining the passenger experience. Upon completion, this project will unveil a new world-class terminal covering 300,000 square feet, 23 gates, and an increased annual passenger count from 8 million to 23 million.
The lead developer behind both these projects is Ferrovial, a global infrastructure operator with its U.S. headquarters in Austin, Texas. Through its diversified portfolio and subsidiaries, the company leads large-scale and complex infrastructure projects, overseeing every phase from financing and design to construction and operation. These infrastructures contribute to our socioeconomic growth and have a lasting impact on the vitality of communities.
With over 70 years of experience, Ferrovial is applying its longstanding history to modernize American infrastructure across highways, airports, water, and beyond, with an eye toward the future.
Connecting a nation on the move
Moving goods and services is vital to the American economy. Interstate 35 (IH-35) is a critical highway in the central United States, serving as a crucial trade route for international freight spanning from Mexico to Canada. Since 2005, Ferrovial has carried out infrastructure improvements along IH-35 from Laredo to Dallas-Fort Worth that amount to over $3 billion through public and privately funded projects. These projects have created safer routes, increased travel capacity, and improved commute times. As of today, Ferrovial continues to provide solutions along this major artery through contracts with the state of Texas.
Smarter, safer roads
The rise of V2X technology (Vehicle to Everything) is powering highly automated “conversations” between infrastructure and vehicles, changing ground travel forever.
In this transformative landscape, Ferrovial is implementing its AIVIA Smart Roads Initiative: designed to create a safer, more efficient travel experience along its corridors, using a combination of connected vehicle data and sensors to detect inclement weather, construction zones, roadway obstacles, and other potential safety concerns to provide highly automated information to highway operation centers and emergency responders.
A new era of mobility
In addition to traditional travel options, many Americans want a more sustainable, innovative future for connected communities.
High-speed rail can quickly move people from one downtown to another. In rural areas, it provides increased transfer points, adding more travel options for citizens. Ferrovial is leading construction of 22-miles of the nation’s first high-speed rail program in California, which is the foundation for the future high-speed rail track and systems package.
Air taxis, or Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, can take off, land and hover vertically. This new form of aviation aims to move passengers safely, quietly, and quickly to, through and between cities to get them where they want to go more efficiently. Ferrovial’s airports business is focused on designing, building, and operating the infrastructure required to operate all eVTOL aircraft. Developing a series of vertiport networks across the U.S. can greatly improve mobility while lessening environmental impact.
Safeguarding the world’s most valuable resource: water
In addition to the development of transport infrastructure, Ferrovial has extensive experience in commissioning and maintaining water-related facilities. An example of this is the Northeast Water Purification Plant in Houston, a $1.7 billion project, where Ferrovial is helping treat up to 320 million gallons of water a day by 2025. Contractors are working together to deliver sustainable surface water to the region. And in other urban and rural areas, Ferrovial is working on key expansion projects of water treatment facilities that replace outdated systems with new and innovative equipment, and providing a more efficient and reliable water supply.
Investing in people
Behind each project are dedicated and exceptional teams committed to increasing safety, alleviating congestion, improving quality of life and connecting communities. Investing in infrastructure means investing in people. Encouraging professional development by offering training programs, resources and opportunities for career growth is essential in the pursuit of operational excellence.
Ferrovial’s growing team – 4,000+ strong in the U.S. and over 20,000 globally – help make these essential infrastructures come to life with active projects across 10 states. The company also invests in the areas it serves, hiring local subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and economic growth opportunities.
The future of infrastructure starts today
Infrastructure is the very foundation our nation is built upon. It impacts everything from economic development to our quality of life. It connects households to opportunities for employment, healthcare and education, it ensures we have clean water to drink, and it provides energy to power progress. It is the backbone of a healthy economy and a requirement for sustainable growth. As such, it deserves both our investment and our commitment to continuously adopt new innovations, technologies and financial models that ensure our infrastructure stays a step ahead of our growth and that the United States retains its position as a global leader and economic powerhouse. To this end, companies like Ferrovial advance and strengthen our nation’s infrastructure for the prosperity and well-being of all its citizens.
To learn more, visit ferrovial.com
Images included in this article are the property of Ferrovial. Some images are intended for illustration and conceptual purposes only. Reproduction or reuse of images is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Ferrovial.
