Australia's Rail Boom: Jacobs-Arcadis Score $XX Billion Brisbane-Gold Coast Project

Jacobs and Arcadis just sealed a major infrastructure deal in Australia—the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project. Here’s what’s happening:

The Mission: Double the rail tracks from 2 to 4 lanes across a 20km corridor connecting Brisbane and Gold Coast (Australia’s 3rd and 6th largest cities). The JV will act as Independent Certifier, overseeing design and construction quality.

What’s Included:

• Track expansion to boost capacity
• Removal of 5 level crossings (safer + less congestion)
• Upgraded stations with new walking/cycling access
• High-frequency rail service for commuters

Why It Matters: This is part of Australia’s broader infrastructure modernization wave. Government backing + energy transition + national security initiatives = steady work pipeline for infrastructure firms. Jacobs’ backlog just hit a record $23.1B (up 6% YoY), with a 1.1x book-to-bill ratio showing solid demand.

Stock Impact: J shares gained 1.7% in yesterday’s session, plus 0.8% after-hours. Year-to-date, the stock is up 1.7% despite the broader sector headwinds.

The Bigger Picture: Jacobs is cleaning up across geographies—extended UK ops with Aqua DNA platform through 2030, appointed to UK Crown Commercial Service framework, and tapped by NYC MTA for the Interborough Express light rail. Government infrastructure spend is flowing, and Jacobs is positioned to capture it.