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Mill Creek Tunnel Delays: Protect Your East Dallas Plumbing
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The Mill Creek Drainage Relief Tunnel is set to bring 100 years of flood protection to 2,200 properties in East Dallas. Trouble is, the project is delayed — again. Local homeowners report increased flooding during construction, and are worried about its effects on their plumbing.
There’s good cause for concern. Communities with older homes and aging pipe systems like Lakewood and Munger Place are vulnerable to sewer leaks, breaks and separation caused by the stress of waterlogged clay soil in their backyards.
Our Master Plumbers joined forces to bring decades of local sewer line expertise to this problem, and devised a 4-step plan to protect East Dallas plumbing from problems associated with delays in the Mill Creek Tunnel project.
Concerned about your East Dallas home’s old plumbing? Call Mother Modern Plumbing 7 days a week for stress-free scheduling, expert inspections and lasting solutions.
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The Goals of the Mill Creek Tunnel Project
The Mill Creek/Peaks Branch/State-Thomas (MCPBST) Drainage Relief Tunnel seeks to provide a century of flood protection to the homes and commercial properties of East Dallas, Texas.
This 5-mile tunnel is a much-needed upgrade on current drainage infrastructure, which is 50-70 years old and only provides 2 to 5 years of flood protection.
The City of Dallas expects the new Mill Creek Tunnel to “improve storm water management” and offer smarter drainage solutions for schools, medical facilities, homes and roadways. It’s designed to carry a maximum flow of 9 million gallons per minute, with 6 unique intake sites along the line.
Significant delays in the Mill Creek Tunnel project
The project commenced in 2018, and was slated for completion in 2023. However, complications during construction and excavation pushed this completion date back to 2025.
Recently, it was delayed another 2 years — and the 2027 delivery date isn’t fully set in stone.
NBC 5 DFW reports slightly more than 20% of the lining work was complete in May 2025.
"The tunnel boring machine itself took a little longer to assemble and get into excavate the underground portions and mine and excavate," explains Sarah Standifer director of Dallas Water Utilities.
The impact of Mill Creek project delays
Increased flooding during torrential rainstorms is reported by residents throughout the East Dallas area.
NBC 5 received a poignant viewer video of a vehicle floating down a roadway near Baylor Hospital — a sight local residents have grown familiar with during construction of Mill Creek Tunnel.
Inconvenient street closures also hamper local commuters. For example, a section of N Carroll Avenue near Victor Street was initially closed for Mill Creek Tunnel work and set to reopen in August 2019.
The intersection of Victor and N Carroll is still closed as of this publication date, and is now slated to reopen in Spring 2026.
Neighborhoods affected by Mill Creek Tunnel construction
If you live in or near these East Dallas neighborhoods, you’re all too familiar with the strain and prolonged delays of the Mill Creek Tunnel project:
- Bryan Place
- Deep Ellum
- Forest Hill
- Junius Heights
- Lake Park Estates
- Lakewood (and Lakewood Heights)
- Little Forest Hills
- M Streets (Greenland Hills)
- Munger Place Historic District
- Old East Dallas
- Peak’s Suburban Addition
- State Thomas
- Swiss Avenue
The Mill Creek Tunnel Project Puts Old Sewer Lines at Risk
Much of East Dallas’ beauty stems from its historic architecture. From the Lakewood Home Tour to weekend strolls through Munger Place, locals and visitors flock to the area to see beautiful Tudor, Colonial and Spanish style homes.
East Dallas residents moved into these homes to enjoy their vintage charm. But old homes come with old infrastructure — many of these estates are equipped with existing, outdated sewer pipes made from cast iron and clay.
Installed before 1980, all these pipe systems are living past their intended lifespan. The added stress that tunnel construction places on aging sewer pipes is often the driving factor in their deterioration, break or collapse.
How local construction degrades old sewer pipe materials
Mother Modern Plumbing’s research team reviewed 5 years of East Dallas sewer repair and inspection data — all within the timeline of the Mill Creek Tunnel project.
We discovered 3 overwhelming reasons for sewer issues in the area:
- Expansive clay soil that places stress on sewer lines
- Flood-prone terrain near Mill Creek Tunnel construction sites
- Root intrusions from mature live oak and cedar elm trees
Each of these sewer line issues is exacerbated by the added strain of local underground construction, and the poor drainage it causes.
Clay soil strains sewer pipes in your East Dallas yard
The soil throughout Dallas is rich in clay content. This gives the soil expansive properties — it’s terrible at draining water and is prone to great shifts in its size and shape.
It gets waterlogged when it rains, cracks and settles when it dries out, and is in a near-perpetual state of expansion and contraction.
With the area’s drainage capacity affected by prolonged Mill Creek Tunnel construction, your backyard’s soil is on overload. As a result, it’s putting your sewer lines under constant stress.
Older homes with aging sewer pipes — like those in Lakewood, Munger Place and Little Forest Hills — are the most vulnerable to this ongoing pressure and movement.
“Flash Flood Alley” runs through East Dallas
East Dallas’ outdated drainage infrastructure makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding events. It’s considered part of “Flash Flood Alley”, where a combination of shallow soil, Gulf air and urban development increases flood risks.
The problem will be mitigated when the Mill Creek Drainage Relief Tunnel is completed — but each time that date is pushed further back, current issues only increase.
In the interim, local backyards are at increased risk of flash flooding. This created the waterlogged soil situations that strain your sewer line, causing cracks, leaks and sagging.
Aggressive live oak and cedar elm tree roots
East Dallas if filled with beautiful mature trees - live oaks, cedar elms and pecans are everywhere. They’re gorgeous to look at, but they also have some of the most aggressive, invasive tree root systems in America.
As older underground pipe materials corrode, crack and leak, they’re vulnerable to intrusions as tree roots seek out the organic material inside them.
It’s not uncommon for our plumbers to find multiple intrusions from a single tree root along a 10 to 15 foot span of sewer pipe in East Dallas backyards. This is especially true in the tree-lined M Streets neighborhood, and the historic homes of Forest Hill.
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Our 4-Step Action Plan to Protect Your Sewer Pipes
Let’s look at the silver lining: when completed, the Mill Creek Tunnel will provide substantial relief and peace of mind for East Dallas homeowners worried about local flooding.
In the meantime, it’s the responsibility of experienced local plumbers to keep your home’s sewer systems safe from leaks, breaks, separations and sewer bellies.
That’s a responsibility our Master Plumbers take seriously. We asked them to build out a simple, 4-step plan East Dallas homeowners can take to ensure optimal, stress-free sewer line performance until the Mill Creek Tunnel is completed:
- Assess your current sewer line’s age and materials
- Inspect for damage, intrusions and signs of deterioration
- Replace damaged sections with fresh Schedule 40 PVC
- Maintain your new line with biennial service appointments
Step 1: Take control of your current sewer line situation
Start your sewer upgrade by answering 5 key questions about your existing pipes:
- When were your current sewer pipes installed or last upgraded?
- What existing pipe materials are present in your plumbing system?
- When was the last time your home’s sewer system was maintained or serviced?
- What percentage of your sewer system isn’t upgraded to Schedule 40 PVC?
- Do you notice any major symptoms of a sewer backup or leak?
Use the last question in our list to determine the urgency of your sewer repair needs, as well as the potential source of the problem.
Look for the following 10 warning signs of a sewer issue:
- Slow drains
- Sewage backup in drains
- Drains with standing water
- Smelly sink drains
- Sewer smell in bathroom
- Water level changes in toilets
- Gurgling sounds in drains and toilets
- Perpetually wet spots in your yard that won’t dry
- Unusually lush or green areas in your lawn
- Depressions or sinkholes in your backyard
Step 2: Schedule a professional sewer line camera inspection
Every quality sewer line inspection starts with advanced sewer camera technology. A small camera is attached to a flexible cable and sent into your sewer line, usually via your sewer cleanout or other convenient access point.
See any issues, blockages or damage in your sewer pipes in real time - no mess, no fuss, just real visual answers. Our team offers the highest-rated sewer line camera inspection service in DFW, as well as advanced hydrostatic testing and electronic leak detection services.
The Mother Promise: You’re a human, not an invoice. If we inspect your plumbing and everything’s fine, we’ll give you the good news! No upcharge, no stress.
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Step 3: Start fresh with durable Schedule 40 PVC
If spot repair or pipe replacement is needed, look for the silver lining: it’s the perfect opportunity to ensure up to 100 years of optimal sewer performance.
The best sewer pipe material to set yourself up for decades of success is Schedule 40 PVC. This extremely durable material offers strong resistance against wastewater and sewage, lessens the strain of expansive clay soil, and has anti-corrosive properties.
Our plumbers provide transparent, no-pressure sewer repair options for your home based on the scope of your damage and your current budget. Schedule 40 PVC is our material of choice for all sewer replacement projects.
What’s the right sewer repair option for your home? Compare all your choices with our comprehensive, updated guide to Dallas sewer repair service options.
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Step 4: Establish your East Dallas sewer maintenance plan
We strongly recommend scheduling sewer line maintenance every 2 years to keep your drains clear of clogs and your yard sewer line clear of intrusions and leaks.
Our non-invasive approach to home sewer maintenance includes sewer line camera inspection and the use of enzymatic drain cleaners - a non-toxic, non-corrosive and eco-friendly method that’s safe for your home, your family and your pipes.
Members of Mother’s Pipeline enjoy an annual $300 drain cleaning coupon, free freshwater and sewer tests, and a pre-scheduled annual water heater flush. It’s a great way to set yourself up for long-term plumbing success, especially in an aging home.
The Mill Creek Tunnel is Delayed — Our Plumbers Are On Time
4 years of delays have made the Mill Creek Drainage Relief Tunnel project a prolonged concern for East Dallas residents, especially those with older home and aging sewer pipes.
When completed, the Tunnel will offer massive flood protection for the region. Until then, it’s up to you to protect and maintain your home’s sewer line with expert guidance from local plumbers you trust.
Use our Master Plumbers’ 4-step guide to inspect, repair and protect your sewer system for decades of success — even in the shifting clay soil and flood-prone terrain of Deep Ellum, Lakewood and the M Streets.
Take control of your East Dallas home’s plumbing! Call Mother 7 days a week - we’ll have a friendly, experienced plumber on site at your convenience. Whether you need a simple sewer line inspection or minor repairs, we’ll restore your peace of mind with solutions built to last.
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