Print CB Request (DOT0105439 - Increase in Contracting Authority for the Brent Spence Bridge Companion Bridge and Approach Work)

Print Controlling Board Request

Department of Transportation Construction Management
DOT0105439
  • 2026
  • HB 338
  • HB 54
Operating
  • Agency Released Competitive Opportunity ORC ยง127.162
  • Other Statutory Authority/Bill Section 5517.011(D)
Approved
3/16/2026

Request Summary

The Department of Transportation respectfully requests $2.89 billion dollars in additional design build contract authority for an agency released competitive opportunity above $1.5 billion dollars in accordance with Section 5517.011(D) of the Ohio Revised Code to provide final construction plans and to complete construction of the new Brent Spence companion bridge over the Ohio River and for work on bridge approaches in Ohio and Kentucky as defined in the scope of the contract.

Funding

Fiscal Year Fund ALI Amount
2026 7002 - HIGHWAY OPERATING 772421 - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION-STATE $168,458,852.00
2026 7002 - HIGHWAY OPERATING 772422 - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION-FEDERAL $507,938,933.00
2026 7002 - HIGHWAY OPERATING 772424 - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION-OTHER $1,545,538.00
2026 7002 - HIGHWAY OPERATING 772603 - Brent Spence Bridge Corridor - State $34,921,329.00
2026 7002 - HIGHWAY OPERATING 772604 - Brent Spence Bridge Corridor - Federal $1,076,697,899.00
2026 7002 - HIGHWAY OPERATING 772605 - Brent Spence Bridge Corridor - Other $712,106,278.00
2026 7042 - HIGHWAY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT 772723 - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION-BONDS $162,011,329.00
2026 7045 - INFRASTRUCTURE BANK OBLIGATION 772428 - Highway Infrastructure Bank-Bonds $229,102,874.00

Explanation

Purpose of this Request:
House Bill 338 (134th Ohio General Assembly) amended the Ohio Department of Transportation's design build contract authority for a bridge and roadway project that spans the Ohio River (Ohio Revised Code Section 5517.011(D)). The bill included a provision that instructs the Ohio Department of Transportation to request Controlling Board approval for additional contracting authority if the amount of the design build contract exceeds one billion five-hundred-million-dollars.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) have completed the negotiation for the construction price for the Brent Spence companion bridge and bridge approaches and is seeking additional contract authority to finalize the construction contract with the Walsh Kokosing joint venture.

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project has been awarded a $1.635 billion federal grant, and Ohio and Kentucky are providing the additional funding through traditional transportation funding (federal / state) and financing. The funding responsibility is for each state to pay for their section of the project, and the companion bridge and approaches will be split 50/50.

Selection Process:
Ohio and Kentucky conducted a broad, nationwide outreach to the construction industry in 2022, affording the opportunities for robust engagement. After an extensive procurement period, Walsh Kokosing (OAKS ID0000316295) was selected as the prime contractor based on a technical evaluation of qualifications and approach to pricing.

Scope of the Project:
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is one of the nation's most significant transportation investments that will improve safety and strengthen economic development opportunities in both Ohio and Kentucky. The Project is not only vital to the region and the state but also to the national economy. It is estimated that more than $1 billion dollars of freight passes through this corridor daily.

The current Brent Spence Bridge has been operating since 1963, but it carries traffic volumes far exceeding its original design capacity. Today, it is considered one of the top ten worst trucking bottlenecks in the country.

This contract with Walsh Kokosing will address this bottleneck by constructing a new companion bridge, improving the approaches in Ohio and Kentucky, and facilitating updates to the existing Brent Spence Bridge (which will be used for local traffic).

Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the design of the companion bridge for the project in June 2025.


Supplier / Release & Permit

0000316295 - Walsh Kokosing Joint Venture II, Chicago, IL
Agency Fiscal Year Request Amount Contract Start Contract End Account Release & Permit Number
DOT 2026 $2,892,783,032.00 03/17/2026 06/30/2026 573050 - Construction-Roads/higways

Attachments

Type File Name (link)
Other House Bill 338-5517.011 - Brent Spence BridgeCorridor Project.pdf
Other 5517.011-6-30-23-Design and build contracts for highways and bridges-Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.pdf
Other 116649_BSB_CO 53_Phase 2_PROPOSED_2026-3-12.pdf

Supplier Questionnaire

Walsh Kokosing Joint Venture II

Operating Contract Amendment

  1. Why is the contract being amended?
    • Change in the amount of service requested
    • Supplier is already on contract for the initial phase of this work. This change order is to add the final design and construction phase of the contract. (Specifically for the companion bridge and the approaches.)

Agency Contact

Greg Vergamini, Legislative Liaison
Phone: 614-644-1570
Email: Greg.Vergamini@dot.ohio.gov

Signatures

Pamela Boratyn
Date 03/05/2026
Paul Disantis
Date 03/16/2026