{"id":31051,"date":"2025-06-25T06:04:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:04:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/dbes-kept-out-of-brent-spence-bridge-project-lawsuit-says\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T06:04:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:04:27","slug":"dbes-kept-out-of-brent-spence-bridge-project-lawsuit-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/dbes-kept-out-of-brent-spence-bridge-project-lawsuit-says\/","title":{"rendered":"DBEs kept out of Brent Spence Bridge project, lawsuit says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech\">\n    <button class=\"text-to-speech__button button\"><\/p>\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"text-to-speech__button__icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/static\/images\/audio_icon.svg?482016190122\" alt=\"-\"><\/p>\n<p>        Listen to the article<br \/>\n        <span class=\"text-to-speech__button__audio-length\">7 min<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls\">\n        <audio controls=\"\" class=\"js-text-to-speech\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dmgi9movl\/video\/upload\/q_1\/v1750788178\/news\/text_to_speech\/brent-spence-bridge-lawsuit-dbe_tzwgki.wav\" type=\"audio\/mp3\"><\/source><\/audio><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls__text\">\n            This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\">feedback<\/a>.\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>A Kentucky attorney has filed a <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/25982157-us-dis-kyed-2-25cv4-d9610847e456-false-claims-act-qui-tam-complaint-no-process-requ\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>false claims lawsuit against the contractors<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> building the $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project connecting Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, alleging that they circumvented federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise requirements, according to the complaint.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The lawsuit names two joint ventures between Chicago-based Walsh Construction and Westerville, Ohio-headquartered Kokosing Construction \u2014 referred to in the lawsuit as WKJV and WKJVII \u2014 as well as DEI consultancy WEB Ventures LLC and HR firm Make It Plain Consulting, both of Cincinnati.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The builders tapped Jamir Davis, a civil rights attorney at Covington, Kentucky-based J. Davis Law Firm, for his expertise in federal DBE compliance when applying for the Brent Spence Bridge contract, per the complaint. However, after using his qualifications and firm to win the job, Davis alleges that the JV cut him out of the project, neglected to pay him and circumvented DBE requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Per the complaint, Walsh\u2019s self-performing approach \u2014 a common industry practice that prime contractors engage in to have more control over a project\u2019s timeline and budget \u2014 minimizes subcontracting. The project requirement that approximately 9% of the work be allocated to DBEs and overseen by a qualified, independent entity \u201csignificantly undercuts\u201d the JV\u2019s expected revenues, the suit alleges.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cTo circumvent this requirement, WKJV and WEB orchestrated a scheme to reduce oversight and compliance with federal diversity standards, prioritizing their financial interests over legal obligations,\u201d the suit reads. \u201cOnce Walsh and WEB had utilized JDLF&#8217;s qualifications and expertise, they conspired against JDLF by fabricating fraudulent qualifications for WEB&#8217;s project manager.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Per the lawsuit, filed June 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Davis reported the situation and Ohio DOT substantiated his claims, which led to WEB being terminated from the project. Walsh Kokosing allegedly then hired Make It Plain Consulting to serve as the project\u2019s diversity and inclusion manager, but it was also unqualified for the role.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Davis said the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wlwt.com\/article\/brent-spence-companion-bridge-project-complaint-jamir-davis\/65116724\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Ohio DOT ignored and enabled these actions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> by refusing to investigate or respond to open records requests, and allowed the JV to self-perform the oversight of the minority contracts, according to WLWT5, Cincinnati&#8217;s NBC affiliate. The agency does not comment on pending litigation, an Ohio DOT spokesperson said in an email.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cWalsh has a long history of engaging in practices that constitute DBE fraud, systematically circumventing DBE requirements and discriminating against minority-owned companies to maximize profits and maintain control over federally funded projects,\u201d the complaint reads.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In 2023 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oig.dot.gov\/library-item\/39446\" target=\"_blank\">Walsh agreed to pay nearly $1.1 million<\/a>\u00a0to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it had participated in a scheme designed to defraud the DBE program in connection with work on the federally funded Whittier Bridge\/I-95 Improvement Project, according to the DOT Office of Inspector General.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Construction Dive reached out to Walsh Kokosing, WEB Ventures and Make It Plain Consulting for comment but did not hear back as of publication time.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The future of DBE in civil contracting is murky, however: In May the U.S. DOT agreed to settle a <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/dot-race-gender-dbe-settlement\/749536\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>case challenging the constitutionality of its DBE program<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, effectively barring women- and minority-owned companies from automatic inclusion in the initiative.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>New design unveiled<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The same day Davis filed the suit, Ohio and Kentucky governors <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/brentspencebridgecorridor.com\/bridge-type-selection\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>unveiled the final design for the project<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, according to the project website: A cable-stayed bi-level bridge. Instead of using a traditional steel truss to support the bridge\u2019s lower deck, both decks will be supported by a cabling system with no steel work connecting them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper hide-small show-large\" id=\"desktop-carousel\"\/>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>&#8220;As we went through the designs, we wanted this bridge to be cost effective, functional and safe, but we also wanted it to look good,&#8221; said <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/governor.ohio.gov\/media\/news-and-media\/governors-dewine-and-beshear-unveil-design-of-brent-spence-companion-bridge\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a news release<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. &#8220;This bridge will become an iconic part of the Cincinnati skyline and a landmark gateway that honors our states&#8217; excellence in engineering, transforms the daily commute, and keeps commerce moving.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The design underwent extensive technical review and wind testing, per the release, but ultimately, cost, constructability and schedule were the deciding factors in the selection.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Dallas-based AECOM is the project\u2019s lead designer. Jacobs, also headquartered in Dallas, is providing design and engineering services. The project team will now continue refining project and design details, per the release.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1094424867?h=fd2bf5c614\" title=\"vimeo-player\" width=\"640\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Multiple lawsuits<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The recent false claims lawsuit is not the first time a player on the project has been sued.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In October 2024, four <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/brent-spence-bridge-lawsuit\/731204\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Cincinnati-area groups filed a federal lawsuit<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> questioning the environmental impact of the project. That suit alleged that transportation officials didn\u2019t sufficiently study the impact on surrounding communities \u2014 home to primarily non-White residents \u2014 and said the design doesn\u2019t do enough to include alternative modes to car travel such as walking, biking and transit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The current Brent Spence Bridge is an eight-lane, double-deck span carrying I-71 and I-75 as well as local traffic over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky. The project entails building a 10-lane companion bridge and rehabilitating the existing one. The new bridge will carry I-71 and I-75 traffic, and local drivers will use the existing span, which will be reduced to six lanes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper show-small hide-large\" id=\"mobile-carousel\"\/>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The project has become something of a symbol of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/brent-spence-bridge-environmental-review-approval\/716070\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Former President Joe Biden visited in 2023<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and called attention to its status as one of the country\u2019s most congested freight routes and a weak link in the supply chain.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The companion bridge will be built in phases and is scheduled to be complete by 2032, per the project website. It\u2019s not clear when the project will break ground, but the design-build team will continue to advance the project toward final engineering and construction phases, according to DeWine\u2019s news release.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/brent-spence-bridge-lawsuit-dbe\/751478\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">This article was originally posted at Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] Listen to the article 7 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. A &#8230; <a title=\"DBEs kept out of Brent Spence Bridge project, lawsuit says\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/dbes-kept-out-of-brent-spence-bridge-project-lawsuit-says\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about DBEs kept out of Brent Spence Bridge project, lawsuit says\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[457],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-construction-dive","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31051\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}