California Construction News staff writer
Global engineering and professional services firm Jacobs has secured two major construction management contracts from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to support critical highway improvement projects aimed at easing congestion and improving travel reliability across Orange County.
The projects target two of Southern California’s busiest transportation corridors—State Route 91 (SR-91) and Interstate 5 (I-5)—which together carry well over half a million vehicles each day.
Under the first contract, Jacobs will oversee construction of the SR-91 Improvement Project between La Palma Avenue and State Route 55. The project includes the addition of a new eastbound general-purpose lane, bridge widening, and reconstruction of key interchanges. Serving more than 300,000 vehicles daily, SR-91 is a vital commuter route connecting Orange County with the Inland Empire, where rapid population and employment growth have intensified traffic congestion.
Jacobs will also provide construction management services for the I-5 Improvement Project between Interstate 405 and Yale Avenue. With average daily traffic exceeding 275,000 vehicles, this section of I-5 ranks among the busiest highways in Southern California. Planned upgrades are expected to enhance roadway safety, improve travel times, and strengthen regional economic connectivity.
“These projects are essential to improving mobility in one of the nation’s most congested regions,” said Eva Wood, Executive Vice President at Jacobs. “Los Angeles and Orange County drivers lose an average of 88 hours annually to traffic delays. With population and employment projected to grow by more than 20 percent combined by 2045, investing in efficient and resilient infrastructure has never been more important.”
The improvements form part of Orange County’s long-term transportation strategy to modernize aging infrastructure, reduce travel delays, and improve reliability for commuters, businesses, and visitors.
Jacobs has supported transportation initiatives across California and internationally, including Ireland’s Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade, with a focus on improving mobility, safety, and long-term infrastructure resilience.
Once completed, the SR-91 and I-5 projects are expected to provide significant congestion relief while supporting the region’s continued economic and population growth.
