Texas Selects Firms to Oversee State-Funded Border Wall Construction

Texas has taken another step toward constructing a state-funded barrier along its border with Mexico. The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) announced on Friday that it has chosen a partnership between Michael Baker International, Inc. and Huitt-Zollars to oversee the project. This decision marks a significant milestone in Governor Greg Abbott’s initiative to enhance border security.

Key Details of the Contract

The joint venture will manage the budget, identify state-owned land, and work with private landowners willing to facilitate wall construction. While the contract’s value has yet to be finalized, it is set to be awarded following the TFC commissioners’ next meeting, anticipated in mid-September.

  • Michael Baker International, Inc., based in Pennsylvania, has previously contributed to over 500 miles of the existing U.S.-Mexico border barrier.
  • Huitt-Zollars, headquartered in Dallas, has extensive experience designing Border Patrol stations and ports of entry.
  • The Texas Department of Transportation has already allocated $25 million for a 2-mile stretch of concrete barrier in Eagle Pass.

Funding and Scope

Governor Abbott announced the initiative in June, committing $250 million in state funds to jumpstart the project. As of August 31, public donations have added $54 million to the effort. Recently, the Texas Legislature approved $1.88 billion for border security, with $750 million earmarked for constructing barriers.

However, the cost of erecting barriers along Texas’s 1,200-mile border remains uncertain. Abbott’s office has identified 733 miles that may require barriers, but expenses vary significantly. Federal border wall projects initiated under the Trump administration cost between $6 million and $34 million per mile.

The selected firms are tasked with not only managing construction but also addressing logistical challenges such as acquiring land access and coordinating with local stakeholders. This effort follows the Biden administration’s halt of federal border wall construction, leaving Texas to pursue its own measures.

With the partnership of Michael Baker International and Huitt-Zollars, Texas aims to make progress on this controversial initiative while navigating the complexities of state-funded infrastructure projects.