News and updates

Explore the latest announcements, press coverage and company updates showing the solutions we’re creating with clients, the positive difference we’re making in our communities and the value we’re delivering to shareholders. 

News

Protecting the Thames Estuary: Modeling to provide a reliable evidence base to safeguard millions of residents and billions in assets

The Thames Estuary is home to 1.51 million people and more than £400 ($546) billion-worth of assets that are at risk from tidal flooding. To address this challenge, Jacobs and JBA Consulting are leading the Thames Estuary 2100 Modelling Project for the Environment Agency — a key pillar of the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy. The project strengthens understanding of flood risk and provides the robust evidence base needed to guide smarter decisions that protect homes, safeguard critical infrastructure and support sustainable growth. By delivering trusted and unified insights for climate resilience, it’s helping to build a safer future for one of the principal development areas in southern England.
News

Jacobs’ data center digital twin featured in NVIDIA GTC keynote

During NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote presentation at the company’s GPU Technology Conference (GTC) on Monday, March 16, 2026, the founder and CEO highlighted Jacobs. The NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint and libraries now features a Jacobs Data Center Digital Twin solution that enables developers and owners to plan, simulate and optimize gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, known as AI factories, in a virtual environment – improving time to first revenue, efficient energy performance and resilient long-term operations.
News

Jacobs recognized for advancing climate resilience and environmental innovation

Jacobs has received five Environmental Business Journal and Climate Change Business Journal awards, recognizing[RK1.1] global leadership in climate resilience infrastructure, digital innovation, nature-based solutions and data-driven decarbonization, along with a lifetime achievement honor for industry leadership.
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Map the Gap
News

Jacobs helps devise semi-autonomous scouting system for British army to ‘map the gap’

Jacobs is part of the team selected by the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence to devise a new system to help the British Army cross water in hostile territory. The ‘Map the Gap’ competition asked the private sector how crossings could be scouted and planned without the need for dangerous reconnaissance missions. A key part of the solution is Jacobs’ 6th Sense data analytics system, which was developed to create high-fidelity 3D maps of legacy radioactive facilities before they are decommissioned. The concept envisages a semi-autonomous remote system that can collect the required measurements without the need to deploy personnel to the potential crossing location. Ground surveys will be carried out using a submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) carrying data sensors, soil sampling tools and sonar equipment. Our 6th Sense system processes data in real time, helping military engineers to understand how the riverbed, mudflats and banks will take the weight of a temporary bridge and armored vehicles. “We are looking forward to developing a new capability which will enable units like the Royal Engineers to carry out vital reconnaissance tasks without putting personnel at risk,” says Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions International Senior Vice President Clive White. “We often borrow technology and techniques from other sectors to apply in the nuclear industry, so it is good to see this technology transfer process happening going in the opposite direction.” “This is another example of the mutually beneficial relationships we are building with innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.” The MOD’s Defence and Security

2020 Impact Award Finalist
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Innovation as a Service tool scores Impact Award nod for best new initiative

At Jacobs, we don’t just ask ‘What If?’ or ‘How Might We?’, we act to turn ideas into reality and drive value through innovation. That’s why we’re proud to share we’ve been selected as a 2020 Impact Award finalist, from Innovation Leader. Per Innovation Leader, the Impact Awards “honor organizations that are leveraging innovation, technology, and R&D initiatives to achieve extraordinary business results. The awards presentation is part of our annual Impact gathering for corporate innovators.” Jacobs is being recognized for its work in developing the Innovation as a Service tool to support organizational innovation . We’ve trained and deployed a team of Jacobs Beyond If innovation facilitators from the U.K., U.S., Poland and Middle East to reframe problems to help develop innovative solutions; challenge teams to think differently and explore ideas; bring diverse thoughts together with a focused goal; and support development of ideas into marketable and margin-generating solutions. Beyond If is Jacobs’ program for instilling and sustaining our innovation culture. It is about educating, equipping, and empowering everyone in Jacobs to challenge the status quo, and reframe the problem to get to the heart of our clients’ biggest challenges. Discover more about Beyond If and how we challenge the accepted on jacobs.com.

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Press Release

Jacobs secures place on Highways England's technical advisor framework

DALLAS, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) has been awarded a place on Highways England's Technical Advisor (TA) Framework to assist in the development, design and construction of capital road projects in the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS) 2, the strategy for investment in and management of the strategic road network in England. Highways England has appointed Jacobs to Lot 4 (South West and Midlands) of the Regional Delivery Partnership TA Framework. With investments totaling more than $1.27 billion (£1 billion) over the six-year framework, it is hoped that the road schemes in the framework will boost the economy and make the network safer and more reliable. "Jacobs and Highways England have a long-established relationship and this award provides an excellent opportunity to continue assisting them in the Regional Delivery Partnership as Technical Advisor," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions U.K./Europe Senior Vice President and General Manager and Global Executive Sponsor of Digital Strategies Donald Morrison. "We believe we are well placed to support Highways England in achieving its Framework vision through our involvement at all stages of the project lifecycle." As Technical Advisor, Jacobs will work closely with the Regional Delivery Integration Partner to help Highways England create an environment that will foster project success . Jacobs' scope under the framework includes the economic evaluation, route decision, technical assurance and supervision of capital road projects. Highways England is the government organization charged with planning, improving, managing, operating and maintaining England's Strategic Road Network – over 4,300 miles of motorways

Jacobs and WIFIA
News

Jacobs and WIFIA: Reinventing water infrastructure financing

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014 created a new means of financing for large water infrastructure projects. During the years since, Jacobs has developed a record of competitive and successful loan applications, assisting numerous clients through the WIFIA loan process, providing industry-leading guidance and expertise in understanding WIFIA eligibility, benefits and processes – and achieving an impressive 100% success rate to date. In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has approximately $6 billion in credit that could finance over $12 billion in water infrastructure projects through the WIFIA program for Fiscal Year 2020. $5 billion is available through the WIFIA program and $1 billion is available through EPA's new SWIFIA program, for which only state-level water infrastructure authorities are eligible. To tap into this WIFIA funding opportunity, interested water and wastewater providers will need to submit a letter of interest by October 15, 2020. And, we’re ready to help! Background In 2014, the U.S. government passed legislation that created WIFIA, a federal funding source for water infrastructure projects. WIFIA provides direct loans to large water infrastructure projects at U.S. Treasury rates – lowering capital costs and improving water affordability. To date, WIFIA borrowers have received interest rates between 0.83% and 3.36%, with current rates in the range of 1.5%. This difference in interest rates creates notable savings. According to the EPA “a total $100 million debt financing, financing with a sculpted 49% WIFIA loan can result in approximate savings equal to 26.8% of

A paved road
News

Jacobs plays key role in first multi-state truck pilot exploring mileage-based user fees in US

Jacobs served as the prime consultant on the first multi-state truck pilot exploring mileage-based user fees (MBUF) in the U.S. The study, conducted by the Eastern Transportation Coalition (the Coalition), examined the effects of MBUF on the trucking industry and demonstrated the need for a nuanced approach to highway funding models. “This pilot produced important findings about the implementation of mileage-based user fees in the United States, particularly as they relate to commercial vehicles,” explains Louis Neudorff, who served as the Jacobs project manager on the effort. “It may very well be that any future implementation of MBUF could require different paths and approaches for cars and trucks. ” Louis also notes that earlier MBUF studies focused on passenger vehicles and smaller geographic areas. “By expanding the vision to include the trucking industry and multi-state travel, we found that rate setting can have profound implications on equity and, if not done properly, can actually penalize fuel-efficient trucks.” The Coalition pilot took place from October 2018 to March 2019 and drew data from more than 50 tractor-trailers traveling across 27 states in and around the Eastern Seaboard. The pilot results come as states investigate alternatives to state and federal fuel taxes, which help fund the maintenance and operation of the national highway system. Fuel tax revenue has declined in recent years, due in part to inflation and the prevalence of newer, energy-efficient vehicles that generate less fuel tax revenue than their older counterparts. Because an MBUF structure charges drivers based on

High-Flying New Addition
News

A high-flying new addition to one of Ohio’s busiest freeways

Carefully placing a new four-lane, 4,150-foot structure between existing structures sounds like an engineer’s version of Tetris, but that’s exactly what the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) accomplished on the I-480 Valley View Bridge project in the Cleveland metro area. ODOT built the two existing I-480 Valley View bridges across the Cuyahoga River Valley in the 1970s, purposely leaving just enough room between them for a third bridge to be built in the future. And, the future is now. When ODOT determined the existing bridge decks had reached the end of their useful life and began planning for replacement, a new center bridge was deemed necessary to maintain full capacity on this segment of I-480 that serves over 180,000 vehicles daily. Beginning September 13, a newly-completed, 15-span, four-lane steel-girder “center” bridge allows I-480 — one of the busiest freeways in Ohio — to continue to operate at full capacity while the two existing structures are alternately rehabilitated over the next two years. After rehabilitation and deck replacement of the existing structures is completed, the new center bridge will add two permanent lanes to I-480 in each direction and help reduce congestion through this heavily traveled area. Better Driving in the Buckeye State “Knowing quality of life, commute times and taxpayer funds were at stake, Jacobs developed an innovative foundation design and performed extensive analysis to erect the new center bridge up to 200 feet above the Cuyahoga River Valley using gantry cranes spanning between the existing structures,” explains Jacobs’ Project

UK Water Net Zero
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UK water net zero carbon: Quantifying the benefits of biosolids to land

As we look ahead at what will be an intensive period of infrastructure upgrade and new infrastructure delivery, including throughout the U.K. and Ireland, it is vital we consider how we use this as an opportunity to transform the way all infrastructure is designed, constructed and operated. The U.K. water sector contributes approximately 1% of the U.K.’s greenhouse gas emissions and 4-5% of the U.K.’s carbon emissions when heating water in the home is considered. The sector has been buoyed by a decade of success in reducing operational emissions, largely founded on an increase in renewable energy production and culminating in a 47% reduction in emissions. Recently, water companies in England have committed to a net zero operational carbon emissions target by 2030, while in Scotland the target is both operational and capital net zero carbon by 2040. There are similar ambitions in other parts of the U.K. and Ireland. As the fourth most energy intensive industry in the U.K., water companies have recognised the need for climate action, and are making progress in developing their net zero plan. Water companies are challenged to increase their ambition and to implement nature-based solutions and net zero ideas to support the post-COVID-19 green recovery. The recycling of biosolids to land is one of the most important ways water companies currently contribute to the circular economy, providing a sustainable source of crop nutrients and avoiding disposal to landfill. The industry does not currently quantify the environmental and carbon benefits of this recycling and

Embracing the Challenges of N2O
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Climate action in the water industry – Embracing the challenges of N2O

Understanding and reducing N 2O emissions from wastewater treatment processes is key for water industries to achieve meaningful carbon reduction. In this latest webinar, we focus on the practical experience of monitoring and reducing N 2O emissions at full scale. Nitrous oxide (N 2O) is produced in wastewater treatment and is a significant contributor to global warming when we consider water industry emissions. Produced during both nitrification and denitrification processes in conventional biological wastewater treatment processes, including activated sludge, fixed film and sequencing batch reactor systems, the biological reactions are complex and not yet fully understood. However, with the climate crisis here today, water utilities and water companies throughout the world urgently need to better understand these emissions in their work towards achieving net zero and carbon positive benefits across natural and urban water cycles. Understanding and reducing N 2O emissions from wastewater treatment processes is key for water industries to achieve meaningful carbon reduction to tackle the climate challenges - particularly when we consider 1 tonne of N 2O has the warming potential of approximately 298 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO 2) in a 100-year lifespan. Inspired by this and the urgency required, we are working with water companies and partners to better understand N 2O emissions and to develop tools and approaches to reduce these. We see great value in sharing best practice and inspiration from across the world, given the scale of action required today and the progressive approach being adopted by some utilities in N 2O

Aerial view of Chicago neighborhood and roadway with downtown in horizon
Press Release

Jacobs selected for design of Rock Island Connection (P2)

DALLAS, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was selected by Metra to provide engineering and design services for the Rock Island Connection (P2), as part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency ( CREATE) Program's 75 th Street Corridor Improvement Project ( 75 th St. CIP). Combined for logistic and environmental reasons, the 75 th St. CIP is the CREATE Program's largest project and addresses Chicago's top congestion point. When constructed as part of the 75 th St. CIP, P2, a double-track flyover structure will help provide faster and more reliable service on the Metra SouthWest Service line, which frequently experiences freight interference, by routing this line to join the Metra Rock Island line on its own track. The SouthWest Service line Metra trains can then access LaSalle Street Station, allowing for additional passenger rail capacity at Union Station. "What's important about this project is the opportunity to collaborate with nine Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms to make a positive impact in the 75 th St. Corridor community," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Executive Vice President Ken Gilmartin. "Seven of the nine firms are based in Chicago, and together, we can create an extraordinary vision to revitalize the area – including infrastructure enhancements, aesthetics and landscape architecture in the impacted construction space, as well as critical, local workforce development opportunities." "The team that Jacobs has assembled to complete the design work represents an exciting opportunity to involve a number of local DBE's in this important project," said

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Press Release

Jacobs awarded sustainability engineering services contract by LA Metro

DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) has been selected to provide engineering services to design and manage the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) solid waste, recycling and hazardous waste compliance program. Jacobs will design mission critical plans associated with waste management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing air pollutants, reducing solid and liquid waste generation, managing hazardous waste and increasing recycle and diversion from landfills. "Supporting LA Metro in its mission to provide leadership in sustainability within the Los Angeles region – and achieve its zero-waste goal in the transportation industry without compromising its core mission of moving people efficiently and effectively – is an exciting challenge to undertake as partners with LA Metro," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President West Region Director Ron Williams. LA Metro serves as the transportation planner, coordinator, operator, designer and builder for Los Angeles and its surrounding communities – supporting approximately 9.6 million people, or a third of the state's population. Jacobs has a long history of working with LA Metro on critical transportation infrastructure projects, including the LA River Path, Purple Line Phase 1, West Santa Ana Branch and Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridors, North San Fernando Valley Bus Rapid Transit and the I-5 HOV Widening, as well as supporting the City of Los Angeles on projects such as LA's RecycLA program. At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery

Sketch of a river with rock barriers and a bridge above it
Press Release

Jacobs wins place on Affinity Water's river restoration framework

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was awarded a place on Affinity Water's River Restoration Framework, providing management, appraisal, modelling and design input for river restoration schemes across Affinity Water's catchments in England. A multidisciplinary team from Jacobs, including fluvial geomorphologists, aquatic ecologists, hydrologists, hydraulic modelers, engineers, stakeholder engagement and environmental assessment professionals, will collaborate with the client and other framework partners with a goal to revitalize chalk rivers in the south of England. Through the framework we will be supporting Affinity Water to meet its obligations under environmental regulations and the recent drive towards sustainable water use by offsetting artificial changes to the water environment through river restoration and improvements. By integrating the stakeholder engagement team from Jacobs into the heart of the framework delivery, the benefits will be realized not just by the environment but the wider communities as well. Affinity Water estimates the contract value at $4 million (GBP £3 million), delivering river restoration across 14 river catchments from 2020 to 2025. "Our diverse team brings significant experience around river and wetland restoration and will help Affinity Water drive forward sustainable design," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President and General Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Donald Morrison. "The program of restoration works will help to improve water quality, geomorphological processes, numbers and diversity of fish and other aquatic species, and will improve community access and connectivity with the rivers and riparian habitat." At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by

Client winners banner
News

Jacobs clients recognized as 2020 Utility of the Future Today winners

Congratulations to Jacobs’ Operations Management and Facilities Services (OMFS)’ teams, clients and partners – the City of West Melbourne, Florida; City of Berryville, Arkansas; City of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Lehigh County Authority in Allentown, Pennsylvania; City of San Marcos, Texas; Watercare Services Limited in Auckland, New Zealand; and Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation District in Tucson, Arizona – who are among 65 water utilities named 2020 Utility of the Future Today (UotFT) winners. The UotFT program recognizes innovation and forward-thinking by water-utility leaders in the spirit of our own pledge of ‘Challenging today. Reinventing tomorrow.’ The UotFT program was launched in 2016 as a joint initiative between the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Water Environment Federation, the Water Research Foundation and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program recognizes water utilities for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship and recovery resources such as water, energy and nutrients. “Our projects and clients are at the forefront of transforming their operations and utilities through innovation and technology, taking our utilities into the future,” says Vice President of Global OMFS Steve Meininger. “The communities we serve can be assured their water and wastewater utilities deliver the best possible return in cost efficiency, public health and resiliency. I applaud our clients and teams on their creativity and dedication, and congratulate them for continuing to improve the quality of life in their communities.” This year’s program recognized Jacobs teams, clients and partners in the following categories: Community