The City of Burien is working on or has recently completed the following infrastructure projects. These community investments help build a healthy and livable community for all.
Boulevard Park Flood Reduction Project
Location: Boulevard Park neighborhood between South 120th Street to the north, 12th Avenue South to the west, Des Moines Memorial Drive South to the east, and South 136th Street to the south.
Project Details: A primarily privately owned stormwater conveyance system flows through the Boulevard Park neighborhood west of Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien. This neighborhood has experienced nuisance flooding for many years, but circumstances have changed in recent years that have exacerbated this flooding and resulted in annual significant flooding of several properties and structures beyond what was experienced previously. This study analyzes the likely causes of both the long-term chronic flooding and the more recent severe flooding, presents possible solutions, and proposes a recommended solution to alleviate this flooding event permanently.
Project Status: A storm drainage improvements project in partnership with Valley View Sewer District were completed early October. This work will help alleviate most of the ongoing flooding risk in that area. Discussions with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the next phase of the drainage work are ongoing and project continues into 2026.
Miller Creek Daylighting Project
Location: Near South 144th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive South
Project Details: This project relocates and daylights approximately 500 feet of stream channel that currently passes through a combination of degraded natural channel and failing culverts near South 144th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive South. The project also provides environmental enhancements along the corridor and stormwater quality improvements for roadway runoff.
Project Status: Work resumed in June 2025. The connection to the new creek channel has been completed, and all remaining project work should be complete fall 2025.
Fourth Avenue SW Pedestrian Improvement
Location: Fourth Avenue SW between SW 156th Street and SW 160th Street
Project Details: This project will provide pedestrian improvements for better accessibility and promotion of pedestrian safety, especially for school children. A new sidewalk will be installed on the east side of the roadway and bike lanes will be installed on both sides.
Project Status: Work on the final design (including right-of-way and environmental considerations) is underway and on schedule. Construction is expected to begin in the late summer of 2026.
South 140th Street Trunkline Project
Location: South 140th Street between Eighth Avenue South and Des Moines Memorial Drive South
Project Details: This project will install a new stormwater trunkline along South 140th Street in Burien’s Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) to accommodate existing development and facilitate future development. The project will incorporate bioretention (landscaping designed to treat and manage stormwater runoff) to mitigate the impact of roadways on water quality in nearby Miller Creek.
Project Status: Construction began in September 2025 and is expected to complete in November 2025. During this time, expect temporary delays and partial closures of South 140th Street between Eighth Avenue South and Des Moines Memorial Drive South
SW 148th Street Intersection Improvements
Location: SW 148th Street between Fourth Avenue SW and Sixth Avenue SW
Project Details: This project will reconstruct the traffic signal, add a northbound right-turn lane, and reconstruct a rockery at Southwest 148th Street and Fourth Avenue SW; construct a new traffic signal at Southwest 148th Street and Sixth Avenue SW; upgrade pedestrian facilities to meet accessibility requirements; and add pedestrian-level lighting on the south side of Southwest 148th Street.
The new right-turn lane at Fourth Avenue SW and dedicated left-turn lanes at Fourth Avenue SW and Sixth Avenue SW will encourage safer and better traffic movements.
Project Status: Construction installing pedestrian and traffic improvements will continue through winter 2025. Project completion, with final paving, is scheduled for spring 2026.
Meritage Pond Repairs Project
Location: Third Avenue South, just north of South 171st Street (Burien’s Manhattan neighborhood)
Project Details: This project will repair and maintain a stormwater detention pond on Third Avenue South between South 168th Street and South 171st Street.
Project Status: Construction completed in early October 2025.
Chelsea Park Playground Equipment
Location: Chelsea Park, 839 SW 136th Street
Project Details: The City of Burien plans to replace the 24-year-old playground equipment and associated park furnishings at Chelsea Park in 2025. The new equipment will fit within the existing footprint and feature age-appropriate designs for the two primary age groups: 2- to 5-year-old toddlers and 5- to 12-year-old youth. Community feedback will be gathered in early 2025 to determine which features the new equipment should have.
Project Status: Project scoping and community engagement planning have started. Equipment will be installed between late 2026.
