Seattle metropolitan area map showing all of the state routes and freeways (as of September 2011). The proposed path of the new Washington 99 tunnel is also shown. Work began on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program in early 2011. Completion of the new alignment for SR 99 was initially slated for late 2015. It finally opened in February 2019.
Downtown Seattle and the former Alaskan Way Viaduct (SR 99) from Waterfront Park on Elliott Bay. Waterfront Park occupies 4.8 acres between Piers 57 and 59 along the west side of Alaskan Way. Photo taken 08/28/06.
2nd Avenue flows southbound through the Seattle central business district. Ground level traffic lights are common at area intersections. Facing southbound in this scene at Seneca Street is a traffic light acting as a pedestrian signal. Photo taken 08/29/06.
The Seattle skyline from the skywalk above Alaskan Way at Pier 66. Photo taken 08/28/06.
Pike Place Market started on August 17, 1907 as a conventional farmers market where growers would sell their goods to the public. From humble beginnings to international recognition, Pike Place Market grew to become a tourist destination and a place to shop, play and live. Photo taken 08/28/06.
CenturyLink Field rises to the south of Downtown Seattle. Home of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC, the stadium opened on July 28, 2002 and regularly seats 67,000. The venue changed names from Qwest Field to CenturyLink Field in June 2011. Photo taken 08/28/06.
Various photographs of Seattle state routes, roads and streets.
State Route 599
SR 599 continues the West Marginal Way freeway southeast from SR 99 to Interstate 5 within the city of Tukwila. The freeway travels just 1.75 miles.
 | SR 599 begin sign assembly posted after the Tukwila International Boulevard ramp departure of former SR 99. The freeway continues east from a combination wye with former SR 99 south and parclo interchange with S 116th Way west and Pacific Highway north through the Duwamish area of north Tukwila. 08/30/06 |
 | Leaving the exchange with Pacific Highway, SR 599 approaches the East Marginal Way overpass. 08/30/06 |
 | Curving southward along the Duwamish River, SR 99 passes by Allentown and ahead of the parclo interchange with S 133rd Street. The freeway has a 60 mph speed limit. 08/30/06 |
 | S 133rd Street extends from East Marginal Way beyond 42nd Street S to Interurban Avenue and a cluster of office buildings along the east side of SR 599 . Construction visible here was for the addition of an elevated rail line. 08/30/06 |
 | SR 599 splits into three ramps: the mainline joins I-5 south to Tacoma; the middle ramp joins the left side of I-5 south for Exit 154A to I-405 north and Renton; the HOV-ramp joins the I-5 HOV lane south through the exchange with I-405 and SR 518 west. 08/30/06 |
1st Avenue South
1st Avenue S provides a four-lane through route from the central business district of Seattle to the stadium area and Dumamish Industrial Area to the south.
| 1st Avenue S north |
 | Northbound 1st Avenue S approaches the intersection with S Spokane Street below the West Seattle Bridge. Spokane Street east leads directly to ramps for both north and south Interstate 5. 08/30/06 |
 | Left turns from 1st Avenue S north to S Spokane Street west are restricted. Motorists bound for Harbor Island or the West Seattle Bridge to West Seattle must make a U-turn just east of 1st Avenue onto the westbound roadway of Spokane Street. 08/30/06 |
 | A trailblazer reaffirms the S Spokane Street eastbound connection to Interstate 5 (Exit 163). 08/30/06 |
 | 1st Avenue S passes under the West Seattle Bridge between intersections with S Spokane Street east and west. The West Seattle Bridge is an elevated freeway linking I-5 and Columbian Way from South Seattle with Youngstown and West Seattle. 08/30/06 |
| 1st Avenue S south |
 | 1st Avenue S southbound at King Street. Many ground level traffic signal assemblies remain in use within the Seattle central business district. Signals vary in manufacture from Crouse Hinds type D signals to Eagle brand signals. 08/30/06 |
 | A set of ramps connected the Alaskan Way Viaduct with 1st Avenue S at Dearborn Street. Elevated ramps brought motorists from SR 99 south and northbound onto the viaduct from north 1st Avenue S. These ramps were altered to carry the SR 99 mainline onto a temporary bypass over 1st Avenue S so that the Alaskan Way Viaduct to the west could be demolished in October 2011. 08/30/06 |
 | The wye interchange with SR 99 tied into 1st Avenue S adjacent to CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. 08/30/06 |
 | Approaching Royal Brougham Way on south 1st Avenue S. Royal Brougham Way was upgraded to include an railroad overpass east of Occidental Avenue S between Safeco and CenturyLink Fields. Built as part of the SR 519 S Seattle Intermodal Access - Royal Brougham Project, the overpass opened on April 12, 2010. SR 519 was relocated southward to Atlantic Street (Edgar Martinez Drive) in this process. 08/30/06 |
 | Traffic to CenturyLink Field is directed onto Royal Brougham Way east to access the CenturyLink Field Parking Garage. 08/30/06 |
 | 1st Avenue S enters the SoDo Business District at Royal Brougham Way. 08/30/06 |
 | Connections to I-90 and I-5 from 1st Avenue S are made via Atlantic Street / Edgar Martinez Way east. SR 519 follows this alignment east from Alaskan Way to ramps for 4th Avenue S and I-90 east ahead of the exchange with Interstate 5. 08/30/06 |
 | Nearing SR 519 (Atlantic Street) on 1st Avenue south. Work on a new ramp to I-90 east from Atlantic Street was completed in 2003. Follow up work added a direct ramp from I-90 west to Atlantic Street on April 24, 2010. Upon completion of the new off-ramp, SR 519 shifted south from Royal Brougham Way as a new truck route. 08/30/06 |
 | The stretch of Atlantic Street between 1st Avenue S and 4th Avenue S was renamed to honor Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners in October 2004. Martinez played his entire 18-year career for the M's, including every season from 1995 onward as the full time designated hitter. His production as a designated hitter led Major League Baseball to rename the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award after him. 08/30/06 |
 | Holgate Street east to 4th Avenue S north provides an alternate route to Interstate 90 east from 1st Avenue S. 08/30/06 |
 | Holgate Street ends one block to the west and connects with Beacon Avenue South at Airport Way. 08/30/06 |
 | Traffic lights at 1st Avenue S and Stacy Street. Stacy Street travels just one block each direction. 08/30/06 |
 | Trailblazers for I-5/90 posted along 1st Avenue S at Lander Street. Lander Street constitutes a five lane arterial east to 4th Avenue S and Airport Way S. 08/30/06 |
 | Lander Street ends two blocks to the west at Colorado Avenue S. 08/30/06 |
 | Hanford Street provides the first street connecting 1st Avenue S with East Marginal Way south of SR 519 (Atlantic Street). 08/30/06 |
 | Horton Street follows as an east-west road between East Marginal Way and 4th Avenue S. 08/30/06 |
 | Rising in the background is the West Seattle Bridge, an elevated freeway connecting West Seattle with Interstate 5 and Columbian Way. 08/30/06 |
 | S Spokane Street is the surface level component of the West Seattle Bridge, running below the viaduct west from Airport Way S to Riverside, Harbor Island and West Marginal Way. Spokane Street provides the connections to the freeway west and east from 1st Avenue S. 08/30/06 |
 | 1st Avenue S leaves the West Seattle Bridge and S Spokane Street to elevate over a large railroad yard tied into the BNSF and Union Pacific lines. 08/30/06 |
Alaskan Way
Alaskan Way lines the Elliott Bay waterfront from Broad Street south to East Marginal Way, serving a variety of tourist attractions situated on the various piers over the waters below. The four-lane boulevard doubles as SR 519 between the WSDOT Seattle Ferry Terminal and Atlantic Street, providing a route between the ferry service and Interstate 90 near CenturyLink Field.
| Alaskan Way north |
 | Looking west from the Pier 66 skywalk at Alaskan Way toward the Belltown section north of Downtown Seattle. 08/28/06 |
 | Alaskan Way curves northward to become Broad Street from the bay front toward Seattle Center. 08/28/06 |
| Alaskan Way south |
 | Alaskan Way lines Elliott Bay and the various piers and wharfs along the Downtown Seattle water front. Pictured here is the boulevard south at Clay Street adjacent to the Port of Seattle pier. 08/30/06 |
 | A BNSF engine approached Wall Street in this Alaskan Way southbound scene. 08/30/06 |
  | A pedestrian overpass links Pier 66 and the Bell Street Cruise Terminal with Bell Street at Elliott Avenue. 08/30/06, 08/28/06 |
 | Continuing south from Pier 66 toward the Seattle Aquarium along Alaskan Way. The parallel BNSF Railroad diverges from the boulevard and enters a tunnel to S Washington Street by 4th Avenue S. 08/30/06 |
 | An illuminated crosswalk sign and signals accompany the walkway connecting Alaskan Way with Lenora Street. 08/30/06 |
 | Alaskan Way and the Alaskan Way Viaduct converged west of Pike Place Market. A traffic light operated at a parking area sandwiched between the two roadways. 08/30/06 |
  | Southbound Alaskan Way at Madison Street. A stop on the George Benson Waterfront Streetcar Line was located between the boulevard and the Alaskan Way Viaduct. 08/30/06 |
 | Continuing south alongside the Waterfront Streetcar line and the former Alaskan Way Viaduct (SR 99) on Alaskan Way south after Madison Street. 08/30/06 |
 | Marion Street intersects Alaskan Way at Pier 52; the Ferry Terminal Walkway passes above. The Seattle Ferry Terminal at Colman Dock represents the north end of SR 519. Ferries carry vehicles and passengers to Bainbrige Island and Bremerton from here. 08/30/06 |
 | Columbia Street ties into Alaskan Way opposite the Ferry Terminal. SR 519 commences the 1.14 mile drive to I-90 beyond the traffic light. 08/30/06 |
Broad Street
Broad Street travels northeast from Alaskan Way at Belltown near Elliott Bay to Seattle Center and the Mercer Street connection with Interstate 5. The road included 1950s-constructed expressway section between 5th Avenue N and 9th Avenue N. This changed with the Mercer Corridor Project, which revamped the South Lake Union street grid, focusing on Mercer Street as a six-lane boulevard toward Seattle Center from Interstate 5. Work included the removal of the below grade section of Broad Street from the Seattle Center area to Mercer Street at 8th Avenue N.
| Broad Street south |
 | Leaving the intersection with 9th Avenue N and Roy Street west along a former section of Broad Street. Began in 2010, the Mercer Corridor Project removed the four lane expressway portion of Broad Street south to 5th Avenue N. 08/30/06 |
 | Mercer Street meets Dexter Avenue North at an elevated intersection above Broad Street west in this scene. 08/30/06 |
 | Passing under Aurora Avenue North (SR 99) along Broad Street south with the Space Needle rising from Seattle Center in the background. The bored tunnel of SR 99 brings the state route out just south of this grade separation with Broad Street. Aurora Avenue North splits with SR 99 as an at-grade route to Denny Way. 08/30/06 |
 | Emerging from the Aurora Avenue N subway on Broad Street west. 08/30/06 |
 | Broad Street returns to grade at Harrison Street and Taylor Avenue N. 08/30/06 |
 | Broad Street at 5th Avenue and the western extent of the roadway removed in the Mercer Corridor Project. Passing above the intersection is the Seattle Center Monorail. The elevated rail line connects the fairgrounds and park area with Westlake Center Mall. 08/30/06 |
 | The Space Needle as seen from Broad Street and 5th Avenue N. 08/30/06 |
 | Broad Street passes by the Space Needle and Seattle Center at 4th Avenue N. 08/30/06 |
 | Denny Way lines the south side of Seattle Center by the Pacific Science Center. 08/30/06 |
 | Elliott Bay comes into view as Broad Street enters the Belltown section of Seattle north of Downtown. 08/30/06 |
 | One block further south on Broad Street south at 1st Avenue. 08/30/06 |
 | Broad Street reaches Western Avenue and Olympic Sculpture Park (shown here under construction). 08/30/06 |
  | Descending to Elliott Avenue, one block from the turn onto Alaskan Way at Pier 70. 08/30/06 |
Other Seattle Roads
| 2nd Avenue south |
 | Spring Street provides a direct ramp onto Interstate 5 south at 6th Avenue. A small guide sign directs motorists onto Spring Street from 2nd Avenue south in this scene. 08/29/06 |
  | Older one-piece Eagle and Crouse Hinds type D signals positioned at ground level govern the traffic flow at many downtown area intersections, such as the one at 2nd Avenue and Spring Street here. 08/29/06 |
 | 2nd Avenue south at Marion Street. 08/29/06 |
 | Three blocks south of Spring Street is Columbia Street, which connects to SR 99 south to the Duwamish Industrial Area. Interstate 5 bound travelers should continue another block to Cherry Street. 08/29/06 |
 | Another Interstate 5 guide sign posted on 2nd Avenue points toward Cherry Street north for its connections with 6th and 7th Avenues, frontage roads of Interstate 5 with respective on-ramps. 08/29/06 |
 | Interstate 5 southbound trailblazer posted ahead of the 2nd Avenue south intersection with James Street. James Street provides access to the freeway via the 6th Avenue on-ramp. The shield pictured here may well have been removed or replaced by 2010. 08/28/06 |
| 2nd Avenue |
  | While 2nd Street flows southbound, traffic lights also face southward and act as pedestrian signals. Posted at Spring Street is an older one-piece Eagle Signal. 08/29/06 |
 | Walking one block northward, a Crouse Hinds type D signal faces southward at Seneca Street. 08/29/06 |
| 3rd Avenue |
 | 3rd Avenue carries two way traffic through downtown Seattle. Pictured here is the intersection with Madison Street. 08/28/06 |
 | Southward view of 3rd Street at Cherry Street within the central business district of Seattle. 08/28/06 |
| 4th Avenue S |
   | 4th Avenue South leaves the ramps for Interstate 90 and CenturyLink Field and meets the north end of Airport Way South. Airport Way leads southward to King County International Airport / Boeing Field. 08/30/06, 08/28/06 |
 | Columbia Center and Seattle Municipal Tower and other skyscrapers dominate the view of 4th Avenue South north at the parking garage exit of 505 Union Station. King Street Station lies to the left. 08/30/06 |
  | 2nd Avenue South Extended splits from 4th Avenue South. 08/30/06 |
 | King Street Station provides transit options for area commuters and also long distance travelers via Amtrak. The historic station opened in 1906 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. 08/30/06 |
 | 4th Avenue angles northwest from Yesler Way and reaches Cherry Street in three blocks. Cheery Street provides connections to both south and north Interstate 5 via 6th and 7th Avenues (frontage streets of the freeway). 08/28/06 |
| 9th Avenue N |
 | Heading south along 9th Avenue North toward the intersection with Broad Street and Roy Street west. Construction associated with the Mercer Corridor Project will eliminate Broad Street between 9th Avenue North and the new Mercer Street parkway. Green space will replace the current paved area between Roy Street to 8th Avenue South. 08/30/06 |
 | Roy Street will carry two-way traffic west from 9th Avenue North and tie directly into Valley Street to the east. Valley Street will be downgraded from a multi-lane arterial into a two lane local street. 08/30/06 |
| Mercer Street east |
 | A historical look at Mercer Street eastbound between 8th and 9th Avenues North. What was previously a congested one way street leading east to Interstate 5 received $30 million in ARRA funds on February 16, 2010 to rebuild the corridor as gateway to the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle. 08/30/06 |
 | Eastbound Mercer Street at 9th Avenue North. Buildings along the north side of Mercer Street were demolished to make way for a new six lane parkway. Dubbed the Mercer Corridor Project, the parkway project is part of an overall plan to link Seattle Center with Interstate 5 and SR 99 with a two-way Mercer Street. Valley Street, the original westbound gateway to Seattle Center, will be downgraded to a local street with an improved Mercer corridor. 08/30/06 |
 | Mercer Street east at Westlake Avenue. The Mercer Street east and Valley Street westbound couplet from Interstate 5 to Broad Street was constructed in the 1950s. 08/30/06 |
| Various Downtown Streets |
   | Famous in the road enthusiast community, the hand painted U.S. 99 sign posted at the Columbia Street southbound on-ramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. U.S. 99 was vastly replaced by Interstate 5 in Washington and officially decommissioned from the state in 1964. SR 99 follows a portion of the original alignment between Tukwila and Everett. 08/29/06, 08/28/06 |
 | Jackson Street westbound at 3rd Avenue North opposite King Street Station. 08/30/06 |
 | 2nd Avenue South travels one block from Jackson Street to the CenturyLink Field parking area. Jackson Street continues three blocks to an end at SR 519 (Alaskan Way) beyond the Alaskan Way Viaduct. 08/30/06 |
 | Marion Street rises from 2nd Avenue in this scene. 08/29/06 |
 | Pike Place south becomes Pike Street east at Pike Place Market. The street carries vehicular traffic at the market but also doubles more or less as a pedestrian mall during busy periods. 08/28/06 |
 | Seneca Street provides a direct route from SR 99 north and interstate 5 north into downtown Seattle. Pictured here is intersection with 2nd Avenue. 08/29/06 |
 | Southward scene showing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Waterfront Streetcar Line, and Alaskan Way (SR 519) at Yesler Way. 08/28/06 |
 | Yesler Way straddles the street grid shift between Interstate 5 and SR 519 (Alaskan Way), ending opposite the WSDOT Seattle Ferry Terminal. 08/28/06 |
| Northgate Way west |
 | Approaching the three-quarter cloverleaf interchange between Northgate Way west and Interstate 5 adjacent to Northgate Mall. 08/29/06 |
 | 1st Avenue NE lines the northbound side of Interstate 5 and yields the northbound on-ramp to Shoreline and Everett from NE Northgate Way. 08/29/06 |
 | A loop ramp shuttles drivers from the Northgate area of Seattle onto Interstate 5 south to the city center. 08/29/06 |
 | Ramps of Interstate 5 south at Exit 173 meet at North Northgate Way and Corliss Avenue North. The Express roadway system of Interstate 5 commences at Northgate and leads south to downtown. 08/29/06 |
 | Northgate Way angles southwest and meets SR 99 (Aurora Avenue) at the North Park section of Seattle. SR 99 follows Aurora Avenue south to Green Lake and north to Richmond Highlands. 08/29/06 |
Photo Credits:
08/28/06, 08/29/06, 08/30/06 by AARoads
Page Updated 09-27-2011.