Massport Executive Director and CEO Virginia Buckingham, Senator Robert Travaglini, Representative Anthony Petruccelli, Councillor Paul Scapicchio and Bayswater residents gathered today in a celebratory ground breaking ceremony for the new Bayswater Street Embankment project. The Bayswater Street area, known for its picturesque ocean views, will undergo a $1.7 million facelift under Massport's airport edge buffer program. The project is scheduled for completion this fall.

"There is cause for much celebration here today," said Massport Executive Director and CEO, Virginia Buckingham. "From concept to design to development, this project has been molded by the dedicated work of our neighbors. "I am committed to working with local residents to make a better East Boston."

Over the last two years, Massport officials have met continuously with Bayswater residents and neighbors, soliciting input and jointly mapping out the blueprints for a final design. The Bayswater embankment is one of four East Boston areas, which Massport will preserve and beautify with increased green space.

"The spirit of cooperation between Massport and the local residents on this project has been tremendous," said Senator Travaglini (D-East Boston). "As an area resident myself, I share in the excitement, knowing these joint efforts have helped to direct this project in a smooth and swift manner. "

Planned improvements include: protection of the shoreline bank using sturdy stone rip rap; landscaping of the entire embankment using high-quality, marine-tolerant plant life such as tall grasses and flowering shrubs; a built-in irrigation system; a series of historic street lights and new curbing and paving.

At the event, representatives of Marion Pressley Associates joined Massport, the highly acclaimed landscape architect who designed Piers Park and Fiore Construction Co., the project contractor.

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