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SW Cemetery Road Drainage Improvement Project
Work was completed in winter 2024
King County realigned the ditch on SW Cemetery Road on Vashon Island to improve drainage and reduce flooding.
Status update
December 13, 2024
Crews completed the work on SW Cemetery Road between Beall Rd SW and 87th Ave SW in early December 2024. The road remained open to travelers while crews replaced old driveway culverts and fixed the roadside ditch. Thank you to the community for your cooperation throughout the duration of the project.
Project overview
When it rains a lot, the south side of SW Cemetery Road between 87th Avenue SW and Beall Road SW/91st Avenue SW on Vashon Island often floods. The water from flooding often extends to private property. This makes it hard for people traveling to and from Maury Island or the Vashon Island North-End Ferry Terminal. To fix this, the county plans to improve the drainage by replacing the old driveway culverts and fixing the roadside ditch. We will move the ditch further from the road and remove some trees that have grown in it. These trees cause problems because their roots, leaves, and branches clog the culverts and block water flow. The project will also add a five-foot-wide gravel shoulder to make it safer for people walking along the road.
During construction
- Some trees were removed within the county right-of-way, next to the drainage ditch, in October 2024.
- There were single-lane restrictions on SW Cemetery Road between 87th Ave. SW and Beall Road SW for eight (8) weeks.
- Flaggers directed two-way traffic weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
- Driveway access was maintained throughout construction as much as possible.
Project location
The project is located on SW Cemetery Road between Beall Street SW and 87th Avenue SW on Vashon Island. View larger image (900KB)
Frequently asked questions
The trees should have been removed when they began to grow, but a decision was made at the time to keep them. Their size and proximity to the road prevent a ditch or piped stormwater system from functioning properly.
Unfortunately, the way the ditch has filled in over time, including the growth of the trees, changed the elevation along the path for the water to flow. This means that in this stretch, the water must flow uphill to reach the drainage pipe. There is too much debris to remove simply by clearing out the drainage ditch or mowing. Our project engineers are confident that this will be a long-term solution to the drainage problem.
King County Road Services is working to keep neighbors up to date. We will do the following before and during construction:
- Update the project website regularly.
- Provide updates on X/Twitter (@KCroads) and on MyCommute (kingcounty.gov/MyCommute).
- Send email notices (sign up for Road Alert email notifications).
- Have a flyer available to people living near the work area with complete construction timeline and closure details.
- Speak with community groups upon request; please contact abresslour@kingcounty.gov to schedule a meeting.
Photos
Tree roots, overgrown vegetation, and fallen branches along the roadside and in ditches clogged the drainage ditch, which could clog drainpipes and lead to flooding. Photo: Google Maps
Dense vegetation and tree roots restricted the amount of water that could flow along the ditch and through nearby culverts. Photo: Google Maps
The project moved the drainage ditch to remove trees and improve drainage. The ditch was relocated to its original location at the end of the project. The County also added a gravel shoulder to improve safety for pedestrians. Photo: Google Maps