New markers unveiled on Des Moines Memorial Drive
Coordinated vision by county and local cities commemorates WWI dead

The first of more than 1,200 memorial markers that honor the men and women from Washington State who gave their lives during World War I are now being installed along Des Moines Memorial Drive in unincorporated King County.

Des Moines Memorial Drive is an eight-mile stretch of road, which winds through five local jurisdictions – King County, SeaTac, Normandy Park, Burien and Des Moines. The original plan in 1921 called for planting 1,800 elm trees to line the roadway as a "living" memorial. About 1,200 trees were actually planted.

Today, less than 250 of the original trees remain. Disease, radical pruning, and utility installations decimated most of the elms over the past 84 years, and many have reached the end of their natural lifespan. The Des Moines Memorial Drive Advisory Committee was created in 2000 with representation from King County, local cities, other interested public agencies, and concerned citizens to develop a plan to coordinate the restoration and maintenance of the living memorial.

Because the roadway has changed so much in the past 80 years, there is not adequate space to replant all of the lost trees. Instead, permanent markers are being installed in new sidewalks to memorialize the veterans. The corridor management plan proposes that trees be replanted in sections of the drive where growing conditions are most favorable.

“We do not want to forget our history, or those who gave their lives in service to this country,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “It is our hope that these new markers can serve as a long-lived reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I.”

The markers are embedded in sidewalk panels and consist of a bronze star surrounded by an embossed pattern of elm leaves with a brick accent.

The Des Moines Memorial Drive Corridor Management Plan outlines how the local cities can also incorporate similar memorial elements in their future road improvement projects along the drive. Once Des Moines Memorial Drive is fully restored, it could incorporate more than 1,200 memorial markers and trees placed at 80-foot intervals.

“The Des Moines Memorial Drive is the only living memorial to those who sacrificed their lives for our country in World War I,” said King County Councilmember Julia Patterson, who serves on the committee. “While serving on the Advisory Committee, I have heard from veteran’s groups, neighborhood leaders, local historical societies and others who were very concerned about preserving this unique and beautiful memorial.”

The first of the new memorial markers are now being installed as King County improves the roadway between South 99th Street and South 128th Street. It is the first project carried out under the new guidelines, and includes installing curbs, gutters, and sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. The existing four-lane roadway will have a new asphalt overlay and the roadway will be re-striped to a three-lane section with one through lane in each direction, a two-way left turn lane, and five-foot wide bicycle lanes.

“The final plan for Des Moines Memorial Drive makes important improvements to the condition and function of the roadway, while maintaining its spirit as a tribute to the sacrifice of Washington families during World War I,” said King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, whose district includes major sections of the drive. “The design for the memorial markers is both attractive and powerfully symbolic.”

For more information, visit the project website.

The King County Road Services Division keeps motorists moving by improving traffic flow and safety on local roadways. The division manages one of the largest public road systems in the state, with more than 2 billion vehicle miles traveled annually on county roads. The agency designs, builds and maintains roads, bridges, walkways and intelligent traffic management systems in unincorporated areas of King County. It is responsible for nearly 2,000 miles of roadway and 220 bridges in a 2,134-square mile area. The division also provides contracted construction and maintenance services to 35 local cities and special districts, plus two adjoining counties. KCRSD crews respond 24 hours a day in all kinds of weather to keep roads safe and passable.
 

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