TRANSPORTATION

Houston Airports and United Airlines Unveil $200M Technical Operations Center at Bush Airport

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

The facility spans nearly six football fields and is a part of United Airlines’ $1B investment at Bush Airport since 2013

Houston Airports and United Airlines pulled back the curtain on a Texas-sized United Technical Operations Center (UTOC) at Bush Airport that spans nearly six football fields under one roof. The new operations center is a part of United Airlines’ $1B investment at Bush Airport since 2013.

The nearly $200 million, 375,000-square-foot facility includes additional hangar capacity for maintaining widebody aircraft, a new warehouse distribution center, a technical service building and administrative offices.

“This facility is proof of what happens when partnerships go beyond just coming together and staying together,” Houston Airport Director Mario Diaz said. “This is what happens when we work together, especially in a city that’s growing fast.”

Diaz was joined by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and United Airlines Vice Presidents Rodney Cox, Don Wright and John Wiitala for the grand-opening celebration. The new operation center will add hundreds of new jobs to Houston.

“Quality jobs are critical for our Houstonians,” Mayor Turner said. “Make no mistake, the work performed here is extremely important. Your team will give millions of passengers a greater sense of comfort and reliability the next time they fly. As Mayor of Houston, I have a profound appreciation for that.”

With flights from Houston going to destinations around the globe, the facility provides critical support to United’s worldwide operations. More than three years in the making, it allows United to consolidate its Houston maintenance facilities. Engineers can now work in the hangars adjacent to technicians and aircraft.

UTOC is one of many investments United Airlines continues to make at Bush Airport. In 2017, United opened a new Terminal – C North- at IAH, and will soon break ground on its new multi-million dollar baggage handling system project-- an integral part of the ongoing IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP).

“These big investments are signals to the nation and world that Houston is only getting stronger,” Diaz said. “Our airport's connectivity is expanding, and our economy is growing. And so, our partnership with United is that much more important. We will lead the way forward as we plan to meet the growing demand for domestic and international travel in the years to come. We are putting the infrastructure in place now so that we are ahead. We are true partners who are united.”

United is the largest airline operating at Bush Airport, with more than 500 daily flights from Houston to more than 180 destinations around the world.

Source: Houston Airport System

TRANSPORTATION Standing Room Only as Hundreds Gather to Begin Journey to Transformative Travel Improvements

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Hundreds pack room at METRONext Business Now. Business and community leaders learned today how they can help move forward 500 miles of travel improvements in the $7.5 billion METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRONext's Business Now event attracted a wide range of vendors. Board members and staff provided an overview of future projects and explained how to do business with the Authority. "With your expertise and commitment to this community, we can begin to provide improved accessibility for the disabled and seniors, better bus service, an upgraded regional express network with two-way HOV lanes, new Park & Rides and transit centers, 75 miles of METRORapid service that operates like light rail and much more," said METRO Board Chair Carrin Patman.

Voters approved the $3.5 billion METRONext bond referendum in November 2019. Executing the transformative travel plan with more than 40 projects will require the skills of a broad range of industry experts. "Just as we needed the support of the community to get the METRONext plan approved, we need your support to execute that plan," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert.

The METRONext projects are expected to generate more than 100 prime contracting opportunities along with hundreds of additional opportunities for smaller business providers. "What we hope to accomplish today is to begin building a team including METRO staff and the business community to fulfill the promises of METRONext. It's going to take that team working together to help us deliver capital projects, improve operations and implement system enhancements," said METRO Board Member Sanjay Ramabhadran.

Details on future opportunities for projects shared at METRONext Business Now are available at METRONext. org under the presentations archive tab. METRO's Small Business University offers regular programming to help engage small businesses. A list of upcoming training events can be found here.

Source:METRO

First African-American woman appointed to Port of Houston Authority board: Mayor Turner and City Council approved historic nomination

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

HOUSTON - Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston City Council voted yesterday to approve the nomination of Cheryl Creuzot to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Creuzot, a highly respected business and civic leader, will be the first AfricanAmerican female port commissioner in

TRANSPORTATION the nearly 116 year history once she is Devel - sworn in. o p m e n t "I am confident Cheryl Creuzot will be Strategies, outstanding as Port Commissioner and LLC, since that she will be a uniter for the commustepping nity," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "She down as brings a breadth of experience to her new President role and I'm pleased to be a part of this and Chief historic moment." Executive "I look forward to working diligently. O f f ic er, I am not only proud, but understand the a posiimmense responsibility of this appointtion she ment and I will work very hard with the held since Cheryl Creuzot seated commissioners to enable the port to 2000. accomplish its strategic goals," said Cheryl She serves as Vice Chair of the UniCreuzot, Port of Houston Authority Port versity of Houston Foundation. Creuzot Commissioner. "Going into a new posiserves on the Board of Visitors of the MD tion, I will first continue listening and Anderson Cancer Center, as well as the learning, and then rolling up my sleeves Vice Chair of the Board of The Frenchy’s to get to work along with the other comCompanies, a 50-year-old family owned missioners and staff to make our port a restaurant and food processing organizaglobal leader." tion. Creuzot is a member of the National

Creuzot, a 36-year industry veteran, is Association of Corporate Directors, The currently President Emeritus of Wealth Texas State Bar Association and The Financial Planning Association.

In addition to extensive civic service, Creuzot has received several political appointments. Most notably, in 1993, she was appointed by the Governor to a sixyear term on the Texas Public Finance Authority Board, a politic and corporate body created to provide financing for state agency facilities. She served as Vice Chairman of the Authority from 1995 to 1997.

She is a proud University of Houston alum holding four degrees from the University: the University of Houston Bauer College (M.B.A. with honors, December 2012), LL.M. (Taxation, 1999), the University of Houston Law Center J.D. (1992) and the University of Houston (B.A. with honors, 1981).

A native of Washington, D.C., Creuzot has called Houston home since entering the University of Houston as an undergraduate freshman. She is married to Percy Creuzot and they have three children.

TRANSPORTATION MILESTONE: First Look at the interior layout of the Texas High-Speed Train

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Times are changing for travelers moving between Texas’ two largest regions, Houston and North Texas. What was once either a tireless slog or a hurry-up-to-slow-down frisking is being replaced by the best travel experience the world has to offer. In short, nothing that exists today in the United States can come close to matching the transportation excellence embodied by the Texas High-Speed Train:

SAFETY. SPEED. RELIABILITY. COMFORT. SAFETY. SPEED. RELIABILITY. COMFORT. Today, to kick off Engineering Week, we’re going to focus on ENGINEERING COMFORT. Texas Central has just unveiled the interior layout of your high-speed train cars – and it’s a game changer.

As you can see, Texas High-Speed Train cars feature

2×2 and 2×1 seating only with NO MIDDLE SEAT

EVER. This design gives passengers nearly a foot more legroom than most coach airlines seats ensuring the MOST COMFORTABLE ride possible for all riders. So, no more waking up your neighbor just to get up and use the restroom. Other important features include wider aisles, improved lighting, and audio and visual signals for train arrivals and departures.

First-Class comfort, with even more space:

• WIDE aisles: 32” (wider than an airplane) • Ample space: 32” of legroom and 41” seat pitch (nearly a foot of total added space compared to flying first-class) • All seats recline, optimized to offer best recline without disturbing the passenger in rear • And, no seatbelts!

Another next level feature of the Texas high-speed train interior is the large, wide windows that allow for breathtaking views of the beautiful Texas countryside. Twice the width of airplane windows (20X20.5”) with an additional 6-inches of height make for a great visual experience for everyone on board. Windows are also equipped with individual blinds and double-glazed UV safety glass.

In these luxurious Texas-sized seats, you’ll have the world at your fingertips with instant access to blazingfast onboard WIFI as you zoom through the beautiful landscapes of Texas. So, no more turning electronics on and off for take-off and landing. Your phone is always

on TRAIN MODE.

FULL ACCESS FOR ALL FULL ACCESS FOR ALL SAFE — PREDICTABLE — ENJOYABLE & ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERY TEXAN For many Texans with disabilities, traveling between North Texas and Houston can be a nightmare – either

you have to travel by road which can take anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 hours and be incredibly uncomfortable, or by plane where you are subjected to invasive security searches, skinny aisles, small seats and an inherent amount of unpredictability.

Texas Central is building your Texas high-speed train for ALL TEXANS, which means it will be fully accessible and meet or exceed all ADA specifications. Inside the trains, in addition to conveniently located areas for wheelchairs and attendant seating, passengers in wheelchairs will be able to move throughout the entire train in their chair. Aisle widths on board the train will enable passengers in wheel or powerchairs to easily move up and down aisles and between train cars, providing a more comfortable ride for passengers using mobility devices. This design will allow riders in wheelchairs the freedom to decide whether they want to remain in their chair or move to an assigned seat. This freedom of movement often leads to other choices including whether they want an attendant to join them on the journey. In addition, platforms in the train stations will have a no-step entry to the train floors so that passengers in wheelchairs can board safely and easily, with a smooth and level transition onto the train and along the entire interior aisle of the train.

The restrooms will also be ADA accessible, convenient, and allow for contiguous and smooth access from adjoining cars during the less than 90-minute travel time.

As a result of these design elements that keep accessibility in mind, you make the ridership experience better for everyone.

ACCOMMODATING SERVICE ANIMALS ACCOMMODATING SERVICE ANIMALS THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO, WE WANT TO HELP The Texas high-speed train will be welcoming and accommodating to passengers with service animals. Requirements are being reviewed closely to understand what is needed for the best accommodation for both the service animals and riders of the train.

On the train, the leg room provided for most seats will allow those with service animals to select a variety of seating, not just in a bulkhead row. Texas Central recognizes the importance of having service animals accompany persons with disabilities, and we look forward to being your choice to travel.

MAAS MAAS “MOBILITY AS A SERVICE” IS ALREADY TAKING TEXANS OUT OF CARS

While we’re on the topic of rider experience, let’s discuss the idea of “Mobility as a Service” (MaaS) which is a driving force behind the push for more and better transportation options like high-speed trains. MaaS is driven by today’s technology-enabled world; it’s smart, integrated, on-demand mobility at your fingertips that puts you in charge of your journey. Think rideshare, bikeshare, scooters and other on-demand transit solutions. Your device enables you to create your journey on your schedule.

Unlike any other option available in the US today, our goal is to connect your entire journey from couch to couch or desk to desk using innovative technology rather than a station-to-station approach. And, as Texans continue to embrace transportation technologies beyond airplanes and cars, more alternatives will have to be offered –the high-speed train will be leading the way.

TEXANS DESERVE BETTER TEXANS DESERVE BETTER

High-speed trains provide a BETTER WAY to travel the Lone Star State by removing the many pain points of driving and flying. From flexible booking options and seamless interchanges to frictionless security, wide aisles, comfortable seating, fast WIFI and food and beverage service, high-speed trains provide an anxiety-free travel experience for families, business travelers, students, tourists and anyone else traveling between North Texas, the Brazos Valley and Houston.

SAFE. RELIABLE. COMFORTABLE. It’s a BETTER way to travel Texas.

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