Turner Development has started construction on the first phase of public improvements for Westport Waterfront, a $1.2 billion mixed-use development on 50 acres along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The work includes construction of a "living shoreline wetland" along 900 linear feet of the Westport riverfront.

Maryland's Department of the Environment awarded $620,500 in federal stimulus funds to Turner to help reconstruct the shoreline and create the tidal wetlands.

Shoreline reconstruction is the first step in making 25 acres of the Westport Waterfront site ready for building construction. It will be followed by construction of roads, landscaping, utilities and bike paths starting in the spring of 2010.

Construction of the first major building in Westport, a luxury apartment structure developed by the Landex Companies, is expected to begin in 2011.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is serving as construction manager for the shoreline reconstruction, wetland installation and infrastructure construction.