User:SounderBruce/Sandbox/Martin Luther King Jr. Way (Seattle)

Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Former name(s)Empire Way
NamesakeMartin Luther King Jr.
TypeArterial
Maintained bySeattle Department of Transportation
Length11.3 mi (18.2 km)[1]
LocationSeattle, Washington
South end SR 900 (Sunset Boulevard)
North endEast Madison Street
Construction
Commissioned1913
Construction start1922
Completion1923

Martin Luther King Jr. Way (also known as MLK Way) is a major north–south arterial street in Seattle, Washington, serving the Central District and Rainier Valley. It runs for 11 miles (18 km) between several neighborhoods with large minority populations, with its two halves parallel to Rainier Avenue in the Rainier Valley and 23rd Avenue in the Central District.

The street was platted in 1913 and originally known as Empire Way, using the nickname of railroad tycoon James J. Hill, "The Empire Builder". It was completed in 1923 and later extended to cover the entire Rainier Valley. The street was renamed in 1983 to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

In 2009, Link light rail service between Seattle and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport began. Four of the light rail line's stations are located on or adjacent to MLK Way: Rainier Beach, Othello, Columbia City, and Mount Baker. The street also has King County Metro service along its entire length, covered by routes 8 and 106.

  1. ^ "Martin Luther King Jr. Way" (Map). Google Maps.