Contractors from Maine, Connecticut, and New York are set to pay $1.37 million after admitting to false claims related to a runway repair project at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts. The settlement concerns work done on Runway 2-20, a vital part of the airport used by the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing.
Back in 2012, the city of Westfield began fixing up this key runway, using money from federal, state, and local sources—including funds from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense. To get federal support, the city had to send in payment claims during and after the work. In 2013, the city hired Stantec Consulting Services, an engineering firm, to handle design and other project-related tasks. Lane Construction was picked to do the actual repair, and later, Northeast Paving bought some assets from Lane.
Problems started showing up in 2019 when cracks appeared where the concrete center of the runway met the surrounding asphalt. The project plan required a special track to be built at this joint, but it turns out that track was never made. Even though Lane Construction and Stantec said the runway met all the project specs, the track was missing.
Because of the cracks, Westfield and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation had to start a new repair project. This caused the 104th Fighter Wing to temporarily relocate. Officials say the contractors cut corners and didn’t deliver the work as promised, which wasted taxpayer money.
Brian C. Gallagher from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General highlighted the importance of holding contractors to high standards, especially when federal funds and military safety are involved. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley added that federal contractors must keep their promises so that taxpayers and federal agencies get the quality work they pay for.
The three companies involved—Eurovia Atlantic Coast, doing business as Northeast Paving, Lane Construction Corp., and Stantec Consulting Services—have accepted responsibility for their part in the issue. This settlement sends a clear message that cutting corners won’t be tolerated, especially on projects that impact public safety and national defense.