News Summary

Barletta Heavy Division Inc. has reached an $11 million settlement related to illegal dumping of contaminated fill in Providence, Rhode Island. The charges arise from their involvement in a highway construction project where hazardous materials were disposed of improperly. This action follows previous federal settlements and aims to address public health concerns while allocating funds to support children’s dental health needs in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Providence, Rhode Island – Barletta Heavy Division Inc., a Massachusetts construction company, has agreed to pay $11 million to settle criminal charges related to the illegal dumping of contaminated fill in Providence during a highway construction project. The announcement was made by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

The charges against Barletta stem from accusations that the company disposed of thousands of tons of contaminated soil at the Route 6/10 construction site. The investigation began during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020 when workers raised concerns about an excessive amount of dust at the site, which led to further inquiries about the soil’s safety.

Barletta was involved in a substantial $247 million project aimed at rebuilding the Route 6/10 interchange, which commenced in 2018. Investigators later uncovered that the company had transported backfill containing more than 4,500 tons of hazardous materials from other construction projects to the site in question.

In early 2023, following a federal settlement in which Barletta agreed to pay $1.5 million over similar issues, Neronha filed state criminal charges against the company. These charges included the illegal disposal of solid waste, operating a solid waste management facility without a license, and providing false documentation to public officials. Additionally, Barletta’s former superintendent, Dennis Ferreira, pleaded no contest to providing a false statement to state authorities and received a one-year suspended sentence with probation.

The $11 million settlement includes the company’s admission to claims made in a civil complaint that mirror their prior federal settlement. A significant portion of the settlement funds will be allocated to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Children’s Fund, managed by the Rhode Island Foundation, focusing on addressing dental health needs for children, particularly in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods such as Olneyville, Silver Lake, and the West End.

Out of the total settlement, $750,000 will be directed to cover investigation and prosecution costs incurred by the Attorney General’s office, while $250,000 will support the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Barletta’s attorney emphasized that the settlement represents a business decision made in response to ongoing litigation challenges, clarifying that the company did not admit any criminal responsibility through this agreement.

Attorney General Neronha underscored the importance of holding companies accountable for actions that jeopardize public health and safety. Following the settlement, Barletta has faced restrictions preventing them from bidding on new federally funded projects in Rhode Island due to the legal issues stemming from the contaminated fill case.

Residents living near the construction site have expressed continued concern regarding potential health risks associated with dust generated from the fill. The creation of the Children’s Fund will involve management discussions that include an advisory committee selected by the Rhode Island Foundation along with a representative from the Attorney General’s office. Annually, funding from the settlement will specifically prioritize dental care to address urgent health needs identified in relation to the case.

This settlement marks a significant resolution in a case that has raised questions about environmental safety and corporate responsibility in construction practices, emphasizing the need for vigilance in monitoring public health risks associated with construction projects.