State Watchdog Finds Flaws in MassDOT Service Plaza Contract Procurement

Inspector General cites issues in failed $100M+ highway service plaza deal

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Massachusetts' Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified that his office found flaws in the procurement process for a lucrative contract to redevelop 18 highway service plazas across the state. The original $100+ million contract was awarded to Irish company Applegreen, but was later withdrawn after rival bidder Global Partners raised concerns of corruption, leading to a lawsuit. Shapiro said the procurement issues are concerning given the number of large transportation projects MassDOT has coming up.

Why it matters

This failed service plaza contract is the latest in a series of procurement and management issues that have plagued the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in recent years. The Inspector General's findings raise questions about the state's ability to effectively manage major infrastructure projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The details

The service plaza contract was originally awarded to Irish company Applegreen, but rival bidder Global Partners filed a lawsuit alleging corruption in the procurement process. Applegreen later withdrew from the deal. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified that his office found flaws in how MassDOT handled the procurement, though he declined to provide specifics until a formal investigatory letter is sent to the agency. Shapiro noted that effective procurement and contract management is crucial as MassDOT faces a number of large upcoming projects, including the service plazas, Cape Cod bridges replacement, Allston Multimodal Project, and North Station Drawbridge replacement.

  • The service plaza contract procurement process took place in 2025.
  • Applegreen was originally awarded the $100+ million contract.
  • Global Partners filed a lawsuit alleging corruption in the procurement.
  • Applegreen later withdrew from the deal in 2026.
  • Inspector General Shapiro testified about the findings on February 4, 2026.

The players

Jeffrey Shapiro

The Inspector General of Massachusetts who investigated the flawed MassDOT service plaza contract procurement process.

Monica Tibbits-Nutt

The former Massachusetts Transportation Secretary who resigned less than a month after the service plaza contract controversy.

Phil Eng

The current acting Massachusetts Transportation Secretary who is scheduled to testify at future hearings on the issue.

Applegreen

The Irish company that was originally awarded the $100+ million MassDOT service plaza redevelopment contract, but later withdrew.

Global Partners

The rival bidder that filed a lawsuit alleging corruption in the MassDOT service plaza contract procurement process.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“A poorly run procurement can lead to a poorly managed contract. And a poorly managed contract devalues even a well-run procurement.”

— Jeffrey Shapiro, Inspector General of Massachusetts (NBC10 Boston)

What’s next

The Inspector General's office will send a formal letter to MassDOT outlining the findings of its investigation into the flawed service plaza contract procurement process. Other officials, including the current acting Transportation Secretary, are also scheduled to testify at future hearings on the issue.

The takeaway

This failed service plaza contract deal highlights ongoing concerns about MassDOT's ability to effectively manage major infrastructure projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The Inspector General's findings underscore the need for the state to strengthen its procurement and contract management practices to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.