Seattle to Fall City via Renton

This segment of the highway underwent significant realignments leading up to the completion of the floating bridge across Lake Washington in 1940. Prior to these changes, travelers in the early years (up until the 1928) would have taken the Pacific Highway south to Renton Junction before heading east toward Renton. This section of the route closely followed the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Interurban Trolley lines.

In 1928, the highway was rerouted. The new route began on South Jackson Street, then headed east to Rainier Avenue before turning south along what was then known as Empire Way. Empire Way was named in honor of James J. Hill, a prominent figure in the development of the Great Northern Railroad. Today, this road is known as Martin Luther King Jr. Way, renamed in honor of the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

From Renton, the route continued along what is now SR 900, crossing the Cedar River and ascending Sunset Boulevard (SR 900). The original route followed SR 900 all the way to Issaquah though there has been minor realignments over the years. At Issaquah, the Sunset Highway (SR 900) turned left onto Newport Way NW, continuing east and then south before merging with W. Sunset Way. From there, the route continued east as the road transitioned into E. Sunset Way.

The old Sunset Highway between Issaquah and Highpoint is now under Interstate 90. But if you look close as you are traveling east and just before crossing over Issaquah Creek you can see one of the early concrete bridges built in 1912 which crossed the creek.

From here, the original road roughly followed the path of the current westbound lanes of I-90. Historical maps highlight the extent of these changes. At Highpoint, the original road passed over the freeway near where SE 79th Street now ends, crossing another 1912 concrete bridge and continuing up the hill to connect with SW Preston Way. In the late 1930s, the railroad was realigned to accommodate the construction of the newer highway between Highpoint and Preston.

From Preston, the highway closely followed the Preston Fall City Road down to Fall City, maintaining much of the historical alignment despite the construction of newer infrastructure in the area.

By 1940, the newly constructed floating bridge provided a direct connection between Seattle and Issaquah, forming part of what is now Interstate 90. At Issaquah, this new route followed Gilman Boulevard, eventually converging with the old road at E. Sunset Way and Interstate 90.