Barletta Heavy Division Inc. Settles for $11 Million Over Environmental Violations

News Summary

Barletta Heavy Division Inc. has agreed to an $11 million settlement with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office regarding environmental violations related to the Route 6/10 Connector project. The company admitted to importing contaminated soil, leading to significant penalties and community health initiatives focused on dental care for children in affected areas. Attorney General Neronha emphasized the importance of accountability in protecting public health as the company resumes operations after a two-year legal delay.

Providence, Rhode Island — Barletta Heavy Division Inc., a construction firm based in Massachusetts, has reached an $11 million settlement with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office to resolve environmental violations related to its role in the Route 6/10 Connector redevelopment project. This settlement follows the company’s admission of importing contaminated soil from out of state for the project.

The settlement was announced on May 21, 2025, by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who emphasized the importance of holding companies accountable when they compromise public health. The legal repercussions stemmed from the company’s unlawful dumping of contaminated fill at the construction site.

As part of the settlement, Barletta must pay a penalty that amounts to ten times the previous state fine of $500,000. Furthermore, an additional $1 million will be allocated to address the environmental violations. Of the total settlement amount, $1 million will be divided between the Attorney General’s Office and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to cover investigative expenses. The remaining $10 million is earmarked for enhancing access to dental care for children living in areas neighboring the project site, including Olneyville, the West End, and Silver Lake.

Background of the Case

In 2020, Dennis Ferreira, Barletta’s former project supervisor, pleaded guilty to making false statements about the contaminated materials used during the project. Ferreira admitted to lying about the origins and levels of contamination for 93 truckloads of stone and 52 truckloads of soil that were introduced to the construction site. The company also submitted a fraudulent environmental analysis to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, asserting that the imported materials complied with regulatory standards.

Prior to this settlement, Barletta had already incurred financial penalties including a $500,000 fine and a $1 million repayment to the federal government regarding federal charges tied to the same contamination issues. However, the recent settlement significantly increases the amount of accountability enforced upon the company due to its actions, as emphasized by Attorney General Neronha.

Community Health Initiatives

In light of the settlement, $10 million will be directed toward providing expanded dental care services for children in the affected areas. This move comes in response to alarming statistics indicating that nearly one in three kindergarteners and close to half of third graders in Rhode Island experience tooth decay. By investing in children’s health services, the Attorney General’s plan aims to benefit communities that were impacted by the construction project and its environmental ramifications.

The Rhode Island Foundation will oversee a grant program that targets enhancements in pediatric dental health services in those neighborhoods. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to improve healthcare access, particularly in light of increasing concerns over Medicaid rates for dental care.

Regulatory Implications and Future Actions

Although the contaminated soil was not classified as hazardous, Attorney General Neronha noted that Barletta’s lack of transparency about the environmental condition of the materials was particularly serious. DEM Director Terry Gray remarked on the importance of managing contaminated soil correctly, emphasizing the necessity of stringent environmental regulations.

Despite no direct health effects being conclusively linked to the dumped soil, dust and pollution concerns were raised regarding the construction projects. The settlement allows Barletta to resume operations after being sidelined for more than two years due to legal disputes while affording the opportunity for the company to continue its work on various public infrastructure projects in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

This settlement not only serves as a punitive measure but also aims to increase the availability of health services for children in the communities surrounding the Route 6/10 Connector, thus addressing both public health concerns and corporate responsibility.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Providence Journal: Barletta Settles Route 6/10 Interchange Contaminated Soil Case
• Turn to 10: Contamination Found in Soil at Providence Pallet Housing Site
• GoLocalProv: Timeline of 6/10 Contamination
• Brown Daily Herald: Rhode Island Is Not a Dumping Ground
• Google Search: Route 6/10 Connector