Jacobs has been chosen by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to provide construction management services for two highway improvement projects in Orange County (OC), California.

The developments aim to address increasing congestion and enhance mobility for local motorists.

The first project involves upgrades to State Route 91 (SR-91) between La Palma and SR-55.

The scheme will see the addition of a new eastbound general-purpose lane, wider bridges and the reconstruction of interchanges.

According to the OCTA, SR-91 is used by more than 300,000 vehicles each day and is a vital link between OC and the Inland Empire.

Jacobs will also manage construction activities for improvements on the I-5 corridor between I-405 and Yale Avenue.

This stretch of the motorway is one of the region’s busiest, with average daily traffic exceeding 275,000 vehicles.

Project organisers state that the upgrades are intended to enhance safety, reduce travel times and support regional economic activity.

Jacobs executive vice-president Eva Wood said: “These projects are essential to improving mobility in one of the nation’s most congested regions.

“Los Angeles and Orange County drivers lose an average of 88 hours annually to traffic delays, and with population and employment expected to grow by more than 20% combined by 2045, the need for efficient, resilient infrastructure has never been greater.”

The improvements to SR-91 and I-5 are intended to align with OC’s long-term transport strategy and are expected to deliver benefits including reduced congestion, greater reliability and modernised road infrastructure for commuters, residents and visitors.

Last month, Jacobs was named technical advisor by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for the construction of the New York State Department of Health’s new $1.7bn Wadsworth Center Public Health Laboratory in Albany.