Florida Turnpike Enterprise awards $28 million contract for South Florida lane-widening construction

The Florida Turnpike Enterprise has awarded Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. a contract worth $28 million as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to update its transportation infrastructure in accordance with a growing population.

Under the contract, Jacobs will provide design services for the expansion of the Sawgrass Expressway in South Florida, which will widen more than nine miles of the expressway, increasing its capacity from six to ten lanes as well as the addition of two express lanes in each direction of traffic. The project holds an estimated construction value of $125 million, according to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise.

“Jacobs has served as the operations and maintenance consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise for 25 years,” said Jacobs President Bob Pragada in a prepared statement. “By combining past experience with our interchange design expertise, our goal is to assist Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise in fulfilling its pledge to provide high-value transportation options to its patrons while meeting and exceeding project objectives.”

In addition to widening the Sawgrass Expressway, Jacobs will undertake the reconstruction and rehabilitation of three interchanges. The design plans also include the implementation of diamond and diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs) to optimize operational efficiency and vehicle capacity.

Under the five-year contract, Jacobs has committed to provide a range of engineering, monitoring, and support services. The engineering firm will manage traffic operations, perform traffic engineering services, and operate infrastructure including maintenance contracts, network and data security.

Jacobs also will manage contingency plans and response for emergency events and work with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise to evaluate advanced data systems to improve safety on the transportation network.

“Our 30-year relationship with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise combines innovative program management with advanced transportation technology,” said Jacobs People and Places Solutions Americas South Senior Vice President and General Manager Katus Watson. “Together we bring the enterprise tools and knowledge to make travel smarter, safer, and more connected for Florida’s residents and visitors.”