619 WESTERN AVE

Once the Freeway of Seattle the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been in use 
for fifty five years and still handles an immense amount of traffic. 
It arcs passed the 619 Western Building, passing within a few yards of the 
west side of the building, located next to the smoking stack of the 
Seattle Steam Co. in this photograph
from 1952.

On April 4, 1953, the Alaskan Way Viaduct is completed. 
The viaduct follows the former route of numerous railroad tracks that ran along 
the Seattle waterfront. It ends near Pioneer Square about at Dearborn Street. 
The final phase, called the Spokane Street Extension or simply the southern 
extension, will be completed in 1959 and will extend the viaduct from its 
previous southern end to just north of S Nevada Street. 
Railroad interests monopolized Seattle's waterfront soon 
after the town was established. By the 1880s, the natural shoreline 
was extended by docks projecting into Elliott Bay. 
Although passenger traffic came and went through railroad stations
 in the heart of Seattle -- eventually settling into the southern 
edge of the commercial district -- Railroad Avenue was the primary artery for 
freight traffic.
After World War II, as Seattleites relied less and less on the railroads, 
these tracks on Railroad Avenue were relatively little used. 
They became bleak and dirty reminders of another transportation age, 
and occupied critical space perfect for what was at the time a new, 
streamlined corridor for automobiles.
The reinforced concrete viaduct now rises above the old Victorian waterfront 
tracks, a few of which remain in traces beneath the overpassing traffic.


Aerial of Alaskan Way Viaduct extension south to Spokane Street with a view northeast toward Seattle, 1959 Photographer - Staff Photographer Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct carries traffic over the waterfront area, linking the northern part of the city to the industrial area south of the central business district. The first unit of the elevated roadway, from Battery Street to Dearborn Street, was completed in 1953 and a southern extension in 1959.This aerial photo was taken near the completion of the extension.

Waterfront north from Cherry Street 1952. Steattle Steam Co. stack to the left of photograph.

Once the Freeway of Seattle the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been in use for fifty five years and still handles an immense amount of traffic. It arcs passed the 619 Western Building, passing within a few yards of the west side of the building, located next to the smoking stack of the Seattle Steam Co. in this photograph from 1952. On April 4, 1953, the Alaskan Way Viaduct is completed. The viaduct follows the former route of numerous railroad tracks that ran along the Seattle waterfront. It ends near Pioneer Square about at Dearborn Street. The final phase, called the Spokane Street Extension or simply the southern extension, will be completed in 1959 and will extend the viaduct from its previous southern end to just north of S Nevada Street. Railroad interests monopolized Seattle's waterfront soon after the town was established. By the 1880s, the natural shoreline was extended by docks projecting into Elliott Bay. Although passenger traffic came and went through railroad stations in the heart of Seattle -- eventually settling into the southern edge of the commercial district -- Railroad Avenue was the primary artery for freight traffic. After World War II, as Seattleites relied less and less on the railroads, these tracks on Railroad Avenue were relatively little used. They became bleak and dirty reminders of another transportation age, and occupied critical space perfect for what was at the time a new, streamlined corridor for automobiles. The reinforced concrete viaduct now rises above the old Victorian waterfront tracks, a few of which remain in traces beneath the overpassing traffic.