After 43 Days RIDOT Has Not Released 6/10 Contamination Docs, MA Released Over 1,100 in 14 Days
GoLocalProv News Team
After 43 Days RIDOT Has Not Released 6/10 Contamination Docs, MA Released Over 1,100 in 14 Days
Barletta has in the past three years secured three major contracts from RIDOT totaling $349 million.
The request for public documents by GoLocal was initially filled on September 16, 2020, after the media company unveiled the contamination in the Providence neighborhood. The whistleblower, James White, President of Local 57 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, had previously notified state officials repeatedly -- and both RIDOT and RIDEM officials had failed to take action.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe investigative series has sparked both federal and state investigations. The United States Attorney’s office has issued subpoenas as part of their investigation.
RIDOT did not provide the documents in the first 10 working days, and then took an additional 20 day extension.
On Thursday, RIDOT issued a letter to GoLocalProv demanding a minimum of $422 dollars to provide public documents. The letter stated:
To date, the Department has invested 29 nine hours in its search, retrieval, and review of your request. The General Laws allows for (one) free hour See § 38-2-4 (b) searching for the records. RIDOT is requesting payment of $420.00 which is computed at the hourly rate of $15.00/ hour for 28 hours. The review determined 1) whether any records are in fact responsive to your request; and 2) whether any records found are subject to disclosure. Additionally, because of the size of RIDOT’s response it will be copied to disc. Each disc costs $2.00.
Massachusetts Delivers
In contrast, a GoLocal request to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for documents relating to the contamination investigation was responded to in two weeks. The MBTA turned over more than 1,100 public documents in 14-days and there was no demand for payment for providing public documents.
Barletta Engineering and Heavy Machine is tied to contaminated soil according to RIDOT. The contaminated soil has had an adverse impact on abutting neighbors including the Carmona family who lives adjacent to where the contaminated soil has been piled.
A coalition of fifteen groups in Providence called the “Fix the 6/10 Coalition” issued a statement last Friday on the contamination at the RIDOT 6/10 project site -- and are calling for it to be closed until a full environmental assessment can be conducted.
“We the Fix the 6/10 Coalition call on the Governor and RIDOT to immediately halt construction to assess the public health impacts of this hazardous material on our communities. We ask that our leaders prioritize the health and safety of our residents, above all else, in this and future highway projects,” said the 6/10 Coalition.
GoLocal issued RIDOT a check hours after receiving the letter.