Jacobs Selected to Design Massachusetts’ First Diverging Diamond Interchange

Jacobs, along with design-build contractor McCourt Construction, has been selected by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to deliver the Natick Bridge Replacement and Interchange Improvements Project at Routes 27 and 9. This project will introduce the state’s first diverging diamond interchange – enhancing safety, mobility and reducing congestion in a Boston suburb.

As lead designer, Jacobs will oversee the replacement of the Route 27 bridge in Natick with two new single-span bridges and a dedicated shared-use path bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The redesigned interchange will use a modified diverging diamond configuration to eliminate left turns and reduce vehicle-to-vehicle accidents by up to 50 percent. 

Jacobs will also apply its StreetLight mobility analytics platform to support data-driven decision making. The platform will help minimize traffic disruptions during construction and guide the addition of shared-use paths that improve access to schools, transit and major employers throughout the region.

“The Natick Bridge Replacement, a first-of-its-kind interchange in Massachusetts, exemplifies how infrastructure and data solutions together deliver lasting societal benefits,” says Jacobs Executive Vice President Katus Watson. “Using insights from our StreetLight platform, we’ll keep traffic moving while delivering an innovative interchange design that improves safety and strengthens community connectivity.”

The project also includes new accessible bike and pedestrian facilities and is expected to be completed by mid-2030.