Three Firms Settle for $1.37M in Faulty Runway Project at Massachusetts Air National Guard Base
BOSTON — June 30, 2025 — Three construction and engineering firms have agreed to pay a total of $1.37 million to resolve allegations related to defective work and false claims on a federally funded runway project at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, which serves as the operational hub for the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing.
The firms involved are:
- Eurovia Atlantic Coast, LLC, doing business as Northeast Paving (Maine)
- The Lane Construction Corporation (Connecticut)
- Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (New York)
As part of the settlement, all three companies admitted to and accepted responsibility for actions related to the faulty rehabilitation of Runway 2-20.
Cracks, Misrepresentation, and Costly Repairs
The runway was originally rehabilitated using federal, state, and local funds, including support from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense. The project’s design was overseen by Stantec, while Lane Construction served as the general contractor. After the project was completed, Northeast Paving acquired some of Lane’s assets.
By 2019, the runway showed significant cracking at the interface between the concrete inlay and surrounding asphalt. Investigators later found that the “track”—a structural element required to mitigate such cracking—was never constructed, even though Lane and Stantec had certified the work as complete and compliant.
Due to the safety issues, the 104th Fighter Wing was forced to relocate temporarily, and the City of Westfield and MassDOT had to fund a separate repair project to address the defects.
Accountability for Impacting Military Readiness
“Federal contractors must fulfill their obligations and perform the work they promise to provide, especially where their work impacts the safety of our military,” stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will continue to hold contractors to their commitments to ensure that federal agencies and taxpayers get what they paid for.”
Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge of the DOT’s Office of Inspector General, added, “The defendants cut corners and misrepresented their work wasting taxpayer dollars. This settlement reflects our commitment... to hold contractors accountable.”
Christopher M. Silvestro, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, emphasized the national security implications: “Ensuring the safety of the warfighter is a critical part of the DCIS mission... This settlement demonstrates our collaboration... to ensure DoD contractors adhere to the requirements outlined in each contract.”
Industry Impact
The settlement serves as a cautionary tale for federal contractors and project managers in aviation and defense infrastructure. Runway construction must adhere to exacting standards—especially at facilities supporting combat-ready air units like the 131st Fighter Squadron.
Construction industry analysts note that design omissions and improper certifications on federal contracts can result in not only financial penalties but long-term reputational harm and suspension from future government bidding.
The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability under the law but does include formal acknowledgment of misconduct tied to the submission of false claims.
Case Handled By
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Morgan, Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit
- Announced by: U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, DOT-OIG SAC Brian C. Gallagher, and DCIS Acting SAC Christopher M. Silvestro
Case Reference: E.D. Mass. Civil Enforcement Matter – Runway 2-20, Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport
This enforcement action underscores the federal government’s increasing scrutiny of construction quality on military infrastructure projects and highlights the risk of civil penalties for noncompliance, especially when public safety or military readiness is compromised.
Originally reported by U.S. Attorney Office.