Image: Artist rendering of proposed pedestrian bridge Image Credit: knoxvilletn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Knoxville officials are facing uncertainty with regard to plans for a pedestrian bridge amid a reminder from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that those using DEI hiring practices will be denied federal funds.
In a letter dated April 24th, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reminded all recipients of USDOT funds to “follow the law.”
“I write to clarify and reaffirm pertinent legal requirements, to outline the Department’s expectations, and to provide a reminder of your responsibilities and the consequences of noncompliance with Federal law and the terms of your financial assistance agreements,” wrote Duffy. “It is the policy of the Department to award and to continue to provide Federal financial assistance only to those recipients who comply with their legal obligations.”
The pedestrian bridge – estimated to cost $60 million – will allow residents to access the University of Tennessee’s pedestrian concourse, as well as downtown Knoxville, from Clancy Avenue, south of the Tennessee river.
The south waterfront, an improvement project affecting roughly 750 acres over a two-decade timeframe, will front three miles of the river on the south side.
In order to make the plan a reality, the city has so far secured $20 million from the state of Tennessee and, in early January, was awarded federal funds from USDOT.
The funds, originally named the “Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity” grant, were allocated to Knoxville after the city had applied three years in a row. Under President Donald Trump’s new administration, the name of the grant was changed to “Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development”.
The rest of the money needed for the project is to come from new development as well as taxes on the waterfront to the south.
As recipients of the grant, the city of Knoxville must comply fully with “all applicable Federal laws and regulations” which Duffy outlined in his letter as “the U.S. constitution, federal statutes, applicable rules, and public policy requirements, including, among others, those protecting free speech and religious liberty and those prohibiting discrimination and enforcing controls on illegal immigration.”
“Whether or not described in neutral terms, any policy, program, or activity that is premised on a prohibited classification, including discriminatory policies or practices designed to achieve so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or “DEI” goals, presumptively violates Federal law,” wrote Duffy.
Duffy then clarified that all USDOT recipients must ensure that all hiring practices, including promotions and terminations, within their organizations are based on merit.
“Any discriminatory actions in your policies, programs, and activities based on prohibited categories constitute a clear violation of Federal law and the terms of your grant agreements,” stated Duffy.
Grant recipients must also cooperate with Federal authorities in the enforcement of Federal law, and must not “impede” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in their enforcement of immigration law.
“Declining to cooperate with the enforcement of Federal immigration law or otherwise taking action intended to shield illegal aliens from ICE detention contravenes Federal law and may give rise to civil and criminal liability,” cautioned Duffy.
Technical guidance and support through DOT program offices is available to grant recipients so that “inadvertent noncompliance” can be avoided.
The Communications Director for the City of Knoxville, Kristin Farley, told 10News last week that the city is trying to “stay hopeful” that they will receive the money.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
