News Summary
Barletta Heavy Division Inc. has agreed to pay $11 million to resolve criminal charges after unlawfully dumping over 4,500 tons of contaminated fill during the Route 6/10 interchange project in Providence. Rhode Island’s Attorney General emphasized the gravity of the violations, which misled regulators about the material’s origin. The settlement aims to support children’s health services in the area, particularly dental care, while Barletta seeks to move forward after facing earlier federal charges. The case raises concerns about environmental risks to local communities.
Rhode Island – Barletta Heavy Division Inc., a construction company based in Massachusetts, has reached an agreement to pay $11 million to resolve criminal charges related to the illegal dumping of contaminated fill material during the Route 6/10 interchange construction project in Providence. The announcement was made by Rhode Island’s Attorney General Peter Neronha, who highlighted the seriousness of the violations committed by Barletta.
The $11 million settlement comes in response to Barletta’s illegal disposal of over 4,500 tons of contaminated fill during its responsibility for the $247 million interchange project, which was initiated in 2018 and completed in 2023. Neronha expressed that the company not only violated state law but also misled state regulators regarding the origin of the fill material.
In early 2023, the Attorney General’s office filed state criminal charges against Barletta after the company had just settled a related federal case for $1.5 million concerning the same issue. Investigators determined that Barletta transported backfill from other construction sites and improperly used it in the Route 6/10 project, leading to the illegal dumping of hazardous materials.
According to the terms of the settlement, all criminal and civil charges against Barletta will be dismissed. The company has indicated its desire to put the matter behind it and move forward. Neronha affirmed that Barletta’s conduct had real consequences, stating that the financial settlement serves as a significant penalty for their unlawful actions.
The proceeds from the settlement have been allocated primarily for children’s health services in Providence, with $10 million dedicated to funding dental care targeted at communities near the construction site. The remaining $1 million is designated to cover legal fees. The Rhode Island Foundation will oversee the funds to improve pediatric dental care and address health issues in neighborhoods affected by the contamination.
Prior to the state case, Dennis Ferreira, a former superintendent at Barletta, pled guilty in 2022 to federal charges related to making false statements about the materials used in the project. In connection with his actions, Ferreira lost his job and received a sentence of one year of probation along with a $40,000 fine.
Despite the initial defense argument by Barletta that the soil was merely “urban fill” commonly found in city projects, the Attorney General’s office maintained that the material contained hazardous substances. This characterization of the fill was a central element in the prosecution’s case. Neronha emphasized the importance of transparency regarding the safety of construction materials, especially when community health is at stake.
If the case had proceeded to trial, Barletta could have faced a potential penalty of $15 million. The environmental impacts of the contaminated fill have raised alarms about the potential risks posed not only to the immediate construction area but also to surrounding communities, which are predominantly home to Black and brown residents. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management confirmed the detection of elevated levels of harmful chemicals in the soil samples taken from the site.
The Route 6/10 interchange project has been scrutinized due to the health and environmental implications of the contaminated fill, with community health outcomes in the impacted areas being a particular concern. The financial resolution of this case is expected to assist in tackling some of these pressing health issues, particularly in a demographic identified as vulnerable.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- ENR: Massachusetts Contractor Pays $11M to Settle Illegal Dumping Charges
- WPRI: Developer Pays $11M for Dumping Contaminated Fill at 6/10 Connector
- Brown Daily Herald: Rhode Island Is Not a Dumping Ground
- Google Search: Illegal Dumping Construction Rhode Island
- ABC6: Neronha to Give Update on Lawsuit Against Construction Company
