Project Location
Near South 144th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive South.
Project Overview
This project is part of the implementation strategy for Burien’s Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA). The project includes relocating and daylighting approximately 500 linear feet of stream channel that currently passes through a combination of degraded natural channel and failing culverts in the vicinity of South 144th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive South, along with stormwater quality improvements to the roadway along Des Moines Memorial Drive South.
Improvements include:
- Relocation of a segment of Miller Creek that currently passes through two culverts totaling 465 feet, both of which act as total fish passage barriers and are failing and in need of replacement, as well as 170 feet of degraded open channel
- Construction of more than 1,300 feet of new stream channel designed to minimize erosion and increase habitat
- Installation of two new fish-passable concrete box culverts
- Stormwater conveyance and water quality treatment facilities
- Construction of 1.4 acres of new floodplain to provide additional riparian habitat and flood storage
Project Status
Construction began in the spring of 2023 and was temporarily halted in February 2024 due to delays in material procurement and permit timing restrictions. Work will resume in December for 1-2 months, then pause again until summer 2025.
Work is expected to be complete by fall 2025.
Neighborhood Impact
Miller Creek Trail (south of South 144th
Way) and trailhead parking will be closed beginning May 8, 2023, through project completion.
There will be flagging operations on S. 144th Way and DMMD throughout the project, including at least two partial shutdowns of DMMD for culvert installation and removal.
Project Manager
Dan O’Brien
Stormwater Engineer
(206) 248-5521
[email protected]
Updated March 21, 2025