Jacobs has secured three new commissions with National Highways, extending its role in maintaining and upgrading some of the UK’s most important transport infrastructure as the country continues to prioritise asset resilience and network reliability.
The new appointments include two major bridge and viaduct design commissions under the National Highways Technical Assurance and Asset Management Framework, alongside a project leadership role on the Construction and Professional Management Services Framework, where Jacobs will oversee the delivery of at least 15 schemes over the next five years.
The awards further strengthen Jacobs’ position across the UK’s strategic road programme, adding to its involvement in nationally significant infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing.
Extending the life of critical infrastructure
Among the new commissions is the detailed design of renewal works for the M32 Eastville Viaduct in Bristol.
The structure carries the M32 motorway into the city and provides a vital connection between Bristol and the M4 and M5 motorways, supporting both commuter traffic and freight movements.
Jacobs will develop detailed structural designs and asset renewal plans intended to extend the viaduct’s operational life while reducing the risk of unexpected closures and emergency maintenance.
The company has also been appointed to undertake preliminary design work for the M5 Wynhol Viaduct, assessing the condition of the asset and developing intervention options to improve the long-term resilience of one of Britain’s busiest north-south freight corridors.
Alongside these engineering commissions, Jacobs will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering a programme of projects through National Highways’ Project Management Services Framework.
The appointment covers an initial three-year term, with options to extend for a further two years, during which the company will manage the delivery of a minimum of 15 infrastructure schemes designed to improve outcomes for both road users and local communities.
Richard Sanderson, Executive Vice President at Jacobs, said the new commissions build on the company’s longstanding relationship with National Highways.
“These three strategic awards build on Jacobs’ strong track record with National Highways. Together, we are focused on delivering resilient, future-ready infrastructure that keeps people and goods moving safely and reliably across the U.K.”
Managing ageing assets for long-term performance
The contracts reflect the growing emphasis on renewing existing infrastructure rather than relying solely on major new construction projects.
Across the UK’s strategic road network, many bridges and viaducts built several decades ago now require significant maintenance and refurbishment to continue operating safely while accommodating increasing traffic volumes and changing climate conditions.
Asset renewal programmes such as those at Eastville and Wynhol seek to extend infrastructure life, improve resilience and minimise disruption through planned interventions rather than reactive repairs.
Project management perspective
While these commissions focus on engineering design and programme management, they also illustrate the increasing importance of strategic asset management across mature infrastructure networks.
Delivering renewal projects on heavily trafficked motorways presents a very different challenge from constructing new infrastructure. Project teams must balance engineering requirements with traffic management, stakeholder communications, environmental considerations and the need to keep critical transport corridors operational throughout delivery. Careful phasing, risk management and possession planning become just as important as the technical design itself.
The project management services framework further highlights National Highways’ continued reliance on programme-level governance to coordinate multiple schemes simultaneously. Managing a portfolio of at least 15 projects will require consistent controls around scope, cost, scheduling and benefits realisation while maintaining flexibility to respond to changing asset conditions and operational priorities.
