Barletta Heavy Division Settles $11 Million Contaminated Fill Case

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Heavy machinery at a construction site in Providence amidst concerns of contaminated fill.

News Summary

Barletta Heavy Division has agreed to pay $11 million to settle criminal charges for illegally dumping over 4,500 tons of contaminated soil in Providence. The settlement follows an extensive investigation into their 2020 highway construction project, which raised serious public health concerns. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha emphasized the importance of adhering to environmental regulations, as the settlement will fund dental care for affected children in the community. Barletta’s actions have raised alarm over industry compliance and safety practices.

Providence

On May 21, 2025, Barletta Heavy Division, a Massachusetts-based construction company, agreed to pay $11 million as part of a settlement regarding criminal charges for illegally dumping contaminated fill in Providence, Rhode Island. The charges are a result of the company’s activities during a highway construction project for the Route 6/10 interchange, which commenced in 2018.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha confirmed that Barletta violated state laws by disposing of contaminated materials and misleading state regulators about the fill’s origin. This illegal dumping involved more than 4,500 tons of contaminated soil containing hazardous substances brought in from other construction sites. The affected fill was used on the project in 2020, which later triggered an investigation prompted by concerns from Local 57 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

The settlement wraps up an extensive legal dispute that has sidelined Barletta for over two years. Previously, in early 2023, the company had already settled with the federal government, paying $1.5 million related to the same issue. Neronha expressed satisfaction with the current settlement amount, labeling it as unprecedented for a case of this nature.

Barletta was responsible for the $247 million project to reconstruct the Route 6/10 interchange, which has since reached completion. The illegal disposal of fill not only raised concerns regarding safety and compliance but also posed potential risks to public health due to the hazardous materials involved.

Admission and Accountability

As part of the settlement, Barletta admitted that its former superintendent, Dennis Ferreira, had used unsuitable fill sourced from a Boston subway project. He provided false information concerning the materials used on the construction site. Ferreira pleaded no contest to charges of providing false statements and received a one-year suspended sentence coupled with probation. However, the Attorney General noted the difficulty in proving that higher-level executives at Barletta participated in the deceptive practices.

Following the settlement, the Attorney General’s office announced that the proceeds from the settlement would be allocated to fund dental care services for children in Providence, particularly in areas affected by the contamination. This initiative aims to ensure that public health is safeguarded in communities that faced risks due to the illegal dumping.

Impact on Barletta

Before reaching this settlement, Barletta faced various operational challenges, including being excluded from bidding on new federally funded projects. This exclusion significantly impacted the company’s financial standing and ability to secure new contracts. Barletta’s attorney stated that the company is relieved to have resolved this matter, emphasizing that the settlement does not imply any criminal responsibility on the part of Barletta as a corporation concerning the reporting inaccuracies.

Public Safety Concerns

The Attorney General’s office underscored the serious threat to public health posed by the hazardous materials that were illegally dumped in Rhode Island. The repercussions of these actions not only affected Barletta’s operations but also raised broader concerns about environmental safety and regulatory compliance in the construction industry.

This case serves as a critical reminder of the importance of adherence to legal and environmental regulations within the construction sector, highlighting the responsibilities companies have to their communities and the environment.