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.
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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.
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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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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

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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

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.

Map the Gap
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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

Before & Beyond the Build
Press Release

Jacobs releases blueprint for creating social value through infrastructure investments

DALLAS, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J), in collaboration with subsidiary Simetrica-Jacobs, has released a new thought leadership paper on the role of infrastructure investments in helping to address critical societal issues, asking the question: What if infrastructure could be planned, delivered, built and operated to generate enduring social value at scale to help overcome some of the most entrenched social issues in our communities? "The current pandemic has brought global societal challenges like wellbeing, equity and equality into stark focus," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Executive Vice President Patrick Hill. "As governments around the world make plans to rebuild economies and livelihoods, now is the time to think about the role of infrastructure investments in building strong and vibrant communities." The paper titled, " Before & Beyond the Build: A blueprint for creating enduring social value at scale through infrastructure investments," explores five approaches for generating social value at scale that can be incorporated into the full project life cycle with big data analytics, co-design, blended funding, social procurement and social value measurement. "Simetrica-Jacobs is delighted to have been involved in this paper," said Simetrica-Jacobs Director Daniel Fujiwara. "Measuring and understanding the impact of interventions on people's lives is at the core of our business. Now, more than ever, we are committed to ensuring that social value measurement is deployed in ways that have meaningful and positive impacts on decision-making and investment." Jacobs collaborates with clients and partners across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to explore

Taxiway C Opening
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Long Beach Airport: Where the going is easy and the new Taxiway C is smooth

Creating an opportunity from the reduction of passengers at LGB due to COVID-19, Jacobs was instrumental in developing the plan for 57-hour closures of Runway 12-30 for two consecutive weekends along with rephasing construction to complete the project early with reduced impacts to operations and the community. On July 6 th, the rare, extended closure and rephasing paid off with the opening of Taxiway C and expediting project completion by approximately four months. “Limiting the impact to airport operations was the primary goal in the closure scheme which lasted from 10:00pm on Friday night to 7:00am on Monday morning for two weekends,” says Jacobs Construction Manager Brook Corney. “Combining construction phases and rephasing allowed the airport to realize major efficiencies versus months of nightly closures.” LGB Engineering staff originally planned for the extended closures to occur in September 2020, but in the wake of the pandemic, the timeline for the construction project was expedited because of reduced commercial operations and the resulting fewer noise impacts on the surrounding communities. “By working as an integrated team between the LGB airport staff, airlines, FAA control tower, contractor, designer and construction manager, we were able to sequence the construction combining six construction phases into three to maximize efficiency and reduce the overall impacts,” explains LGB Capital Projects Coordinator II Vanessa Estrada. “Starting the extended closures early was a big advantage.” To enhance airfield safety, this project converts the closed asphalt Runway 16L-34R pavement to a new concrete pavement now designated as Taxiway C

Aviation Article Feature
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Bringing aviation and health solutions to a brave new world

In this Jacobs.com article, we feature insights from Joseph Butler, Regional Solutions Director, Aviation and Matthew Holmes, Global Technology Leader, Healthcare on the nexus between aviation and health for the industry to restart their engines and take to the skies. Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation sector has been at a standstill. But now, after months of uncertainty, the industry is gearing up for a gradual restart, shifting its focus to recovery while limiting the risks of virus transmission. Restoring public confidence is key to industry recovery, underpinning the return of air traffic and delivering the much-needed economic benefits globally in today’s economic downturn. Hence, it is important for any recovery strategy to strike an equitable balance between policy, industry guidelines and regulation, and the comfort, health and wellbeing of passengers and employees. This must be central to discussions at a government and regulatory level for the industry to boost demand and recover faster and stronger. The Industry Consensus Recently, the leading bodies of the industry issued two guidance documents, Take-off: Guidance for Air Travel through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Safely Restarting Aviation, jointly published by Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Both papers highlight the importance of physical distancing at 1-meter, use of face masks, enhanced cleaning protocols, contact tracing, health declaration submission, rapid testing, contactless processing and limiting access to terminals exclusively to passengers and staff. These are commonplace in

Spraying aqueous film-forming foam (containing PFAS) in training at an airport
News

What airports need to know about potential PFAS liabilities

Over the past several years, there has been a surge in regulatory interest to address the public health and environmental risks from releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for firefighting or training. This call to action has resulted in rapid development of regulations and guidance, at both the federal and state level, which have started to impact the airport community. PFAS contamination in soil and groundwater adds a new dimension of risk management to airport operations that affects both current capital projects underway, which often involve extensive soil management, as well as ongoing maintenance requirements for storage, training and equipment cleaning associated with AFFF. Legacy impacts to on-site soils and groundwater may also have impacts to off-site receptors such as nearby water supply and/or surface water habitat, which also need to be considered in managing risks within the airport environment. The current level of uncertainty, particularly within the regulatory environment at the state level, and current policy considerations being reviewed by Congress, coupled with a concerned public clamoring for remediation solutions well ahead of the science, poses a unique challenge within the realm of environmental management. Further complications exist for airport operations, as the main source of PFAS release within their operational footprint derives from the continued use of AFFF, as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as releases from actions by tenants on leased airport properties (such as hangars). New regulations could create challenges for facilities that use (or

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Press Release

Jacobs to help modernize Sydney rail network

DALLAS, July 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) and Australian rail group John Holland will deliver design and construction services to Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) for the More Trains, More Services - North Works Package project. The project will upgrade critical infrastructure along the T4 Illawarra, T8 Airport and South Coast lines between Central and Hurstville in Sydney, supporting the roll out of new suburban and intercity trains, removing bottlenecks and increasing the reliability and frequency of services for Sydney rail customers. Jacobs will deliver rail design and construction support services for the project. TfNSW estimates the project is worth approximately $195 million (AUD $300 million) and expects construction to begin in mid-2020, well ahead of service improvements planned for late 2022. "Sydney is home to one of the largest commuter rail networks in Australia," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President Global Operations Patrick Hill. "We're pleased to be working with TfNSW and John Holland to help modernize the network, supporting new train technologies and transforming the travel experience of train customers for the better." Over the next 10 years, the New South Wales Government's More Trains, More Services program will modernize Sydney's rail network and roll out world class technology to transform the rail network and provide customers with more reliable, high capacity train services. "We have a proud history of working with the NSW Government to deliver world-class rail projects across the state," said John Holland Executive General Manager Steve Butcher. "We're thrilled

rendering of coastal defense
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Tyndall Air Force Base: Coastal resilience in support of mission assurance and becoming the installation of the future

After being severely impacted by Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2018, Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) has embarked on a rebuilding program that is focused on creating a resilient, sustainable and smart Installation of the Future that leverages innovative solutions in a “system of systems” approach to perform at the nexus of mission assurance, cost efficiency, and social and environmental sustainability. A significant component of ensuring the future resilience of the base is addressing the risks that arise from coastal flooding and erosion. As part of the approach, our Tyndall AFB Rebuild Team is exploring a series of pilot projects that use nature-based solutions to reduce coastal flood risks while creating important social and environmental benefits. Managing Coastal Flood Risks Due to its coastal location, Tyndall AFB is vulnerable to extreme weather that can produce high winds, extensive rainfall, and storm surges from the Gulf of Mexico. Storm surges can generate high water levels capable of inundating low-lying parts of the base on both East Bay and the Gulf side. These risks are expected to increase over time as sea levels rise. There are a few strategies for managing coastal flood risk – making infrastructure resilient to flooding, moving infrastructure out of harm’s way, elevating structures so that they are not damaged, and building defenses to keep marine waters out. Coastal defenses can take many forms; in most cases, these systems include traditional structures such as walls and levees, as well as a range of nature-based approaches such as

Aviation + Health route to recovery graphic
News

The route to recovery

While the world continues through the COVID-19 pandemic, the global aviation industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges as a result of the virus spread and its resultant impact on air travel. The first step in the return of significant levels of traffic to the world’s airports will be ensuring the safety of both employees and passengers. Focus must be on restoring the confidence of the traveling public and the ability to create a safe environment for themselves and the staff who facilitate their travel. As workers are remobilized and passenger confidence grows simultaneously, so will the rate of demand for air travel. The public’s confidence to return to airports and public transportation, in general, will likely be on the same trajectory as their confidence to return to any sizable gathering and/or event such as a shopping mall, sporting event or campus. Consistent regulation will support confidence but is especially important for international flights (and international travel of all modes) when compared to domestic travel. Collaboration by airports, airlines, government and industry groups will help allow for the same level of regulation and control of public health measures in the context of travel as we see today in safety, security, customs and immigration. Demand will most likely first return with domestic flights where passengers and airlines are travelling within a single, commonly understood set of regulations and social norms. As society continues to understand COVID-19 and related risk factors better, travel demand will extend to a growing set of countries that have

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Press Release

Jacobs awarded solar photovoltaic power plant contract in Malaysia

DALLAS, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was appointed by Hanwha Energy Corporation to deliver owner's engineer services to support the design, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of a new 100 megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar photovoltaic power plant in Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia. When complete, the project will be connected to the electricity transmission system operated by utility provider Tenaga Nasional. Hanwha Energy Corporation expects the project to begin commercial operation in 2021. "This project is a great opportunity for us to continue to support Malaysia as it expands its renewable energy sector in pursuit of more affordable, sustainable and cleaner energy to meet the future needs of its nation," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President Global Operations Patrick Hill. The project is one of five projects selected in a national Large-Scale Solar (LSS) third procurement program led by Suruhanjaya Tenaga, Malaysia's Energy Commission. The LSS program aims to diversify Malaysia's power generation mix and increase the country's renewable resources from 2% to 20% by 2030. Jacobs was actively involved in both the first (LSS1) and second (LSS2) phase of the LSS scheme, fulfilling owner's engineer, independent engineer and lender technical advisor roles for numerous projects procured under the program, including a 49 MWac project in Sungai Siput, Perak under LSS1, and three 30 MWac projects in Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Kedah under LSS2. At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments