Jacobs Solutions to design Bolivar Roads Gate, major storm‑surge barrier for Houston‑Galveston

Bolivar Roads Gate project positions Jacobs at center of Gulf Coast resilience effort

Jacobs to design monumental coastal storm‑surge barrier for Texas

Jacobs Solutions is leading the engineering design of the Bolivar Roads Gate System — dubbed "The Gate" — a central element of the Coastal Texas Project that aims to protect the Houston‑Galveston region from catastrophic storm surge. The company says the gate system will be among the largest of its type worldwide, stretching across Bolivar Roads to defend more than six million residents, safeguard roughly $800 billion in regional assets and preserve operations along the Houston Ship Channel. The program is a partnership with the Gulf Coast Protection District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office, and benefits from nearly $1 billion in state funding.

Jacobs outlines a technical approach that combines advanced sector gates with cutting‑edge digital modelling and operational planning to allow continued maritime traffic while limiting storm surge. The design work emphasizes long‑term reliability and operational readiness, aiming to reduce storm damage, lower recovery costs and protect thousands of jobs tied to port and industrial activity. Executive Vice President Eva Wood describes the effort as a "generational investment" that draws on Jacobs' global experience delivering complex surge barriers and resilience programs.

The project also advances environmental and community resilience objectives, with planners incorporating measures to preserve sensitive habitats such as wetlands and oyster reefs and to support equitable recovery in affected communities. Jacobs points to more than 1,000 resilience projects worldwide — including the Maeslant Barrier, London’s Thames Estuary program and New Orleans’ Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Surge Barrier — as precedent for delivering large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary surge protection that balances engineering, environmental stewardship and commerce.

Quarterly performance underscores momentum across sectors

Jacobs reports a strong fiscal first quarter, with gross revenue of $3.3 billion (up 12.3% year‑over‑year), adjusted net revenue of $2.3 billion (up 8.2%), and backlog rising 20.6% to $26.3 billion. Management says growth is broad‑based across Infrastructure & Advanced Facilities, led by life sciences, data centers, semiconductors, water and transportation.

Strategic moves support long‑term asset‑lifecycle strategy

Jacobs announces a transaction to acquire the remaining stake in PA Consulting after that unit delivers 16% revenue growth, and emphasizes disciplined M&A alongside capital returns and a stronger guidance midpoint for the fiscal year as it builds on operational momentum.