Miller Creek Daylighting Project

Project Location

Near S. 144th St. and Des Moines Memorial Dr. S.

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 S. 144th St. and Des Moines Memorial Dr. S. (DMMD), along with stormwater quality improvements to the roadway along DMMD.

Improvements include:

  • Relocation of a segment of Miller Creek that currently passes through 2 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 greater 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 Started: May 2023
  • Current Status (as of Spring 2024): Construction work paused in March 2024 in to resolve a material procurement issue. Work is expected to resume in fall 2024.
  • Revised Completion Date: Fall 2025

Neighborhood Impact 

Miller Creek Trail (south of S. 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 June 20, 2024