A 2013 investigation by an outside structural engineering firm linked the concrete problems to design and construction “errors and omissions,” such as insufficient steel reinforcement to accommodate torsion and shear forces generated by the expected movement of up to 120 buses through the facility each hour. Foulger-Pratt countered the lawsuit with its own $11-million claim against the county, citing poor management of the construction contract and alleging it was still owed money for its work.

In the pact, the county agreed to accept $25 million from PB, Balter and concrete subcontractor Facchina Construction Co., which was not named as a defendant in the original lawsuit. County Executive Isiah Leggett said in a statement that the amount “will cover 90% of the hard costs we incurred to deliver a safe and durable” facility.

But the county also must pay Foulger-Pratt $3 million. In a statement, contractor Managing Principal Bryant Foulger said the “amicable resolution” of the competing claims “allows all parties to move forward without further litigation and related costs.” The settlement also frees all parties from acknowledging any negligence or wrongdoing, but prohibits them from publicly disparaging each other in the future. 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), which assumed operation and maintenance of the transit center upon completion, reached a separate settlement with the design and construction team. Terms have not been announced.

—Jim Parsons