Balfour Beatty wins $62M Texas highway project

London-based Balfour Beatty is continuing its focus on U.S. infrastructure projects with a contract to widen U.S. Highway 90U in Houston.

The $62.5 million project will span the thoroughfare from I-610 to the east of Mesa Road, according to an Aug. 7 release.

The Balfour Beatty team will widen the travel lanes from 11 feet to 12 feet, and add a 14-foot travel lane in each direction, according to the release. The project specs also call for a new, 16-foot continuous center turn lane and continuous sidewalks in each direction.

The improvements aim to ease traffic congestion and enhance safety and storm drainage in the northeast Houston area, according to the release.

Balfour Beatty has partnered with Texas DOT’s Houston District to deliver complex highway and bridge projects in Texas, according to the release, including the Interstate 10 Elysian Viaduct Bridge, I-45 at I-10, I-10 at Studemont and I-10 at Washington.

Balfour Beatty’s strategy in the U.S. includes maintaining a de-risked portfolio that emphasizes government and infrastructure projects. That strategy allowed the company to realize a strong 2022 in the U.S. on the heels of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

However, Balfour Beatty reported its profits shrank in its half-year results on Aug. 16, a result of a weakening performance in the U.S. office and tech sectors. Its office projects were particularly hard hit in Texas.

Construction on the U.S. Highway 90U project will begin in early 2024, with an expected completion in 2027.