Other King County Roads historical resources

King County Archives

The following are road-related records maintained by King County Archives. Contact Archives for information on how to access these records.

King County Public Works
The Department of Public Works was formed in 1969 and absorbed the duties and responsibilities of the Engineer, Airport, River Improvement, Sanitary Operations and Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund (motor pool and equipment) agencies. Public Works was mainly responsible for the construction and maintenance of county roads (Roads and Engineering), developing and implementing policies and procedures for flood control and surface water management (Surface Water Management), the efficient disposal of solid waste and increasing recycling within King County (Solid Waste and Commission for Marketing Recyclable Materials), and maintaining and operating the county motor pool (Fleet Administration). Previously Public Works was also responsible for maintaining the King County Airport (this function ended in 1993) and operating several sewer districts (this responsibility ended in 1987). In 1996 the various divisions of the Department of Public Works were merged with their counterparts in Metro.

King County Engineer
The elective office of County Engineer was established in 1907, and took over the duties of the Surveyor. Required to be a licensed civil engineer, the Engineer was mandated to recommend improvements to the Commissioners, to prepare plans, estimates and specifications, and to inspect bridges annually.

King County Road Engineer
The office of County Road Engineer was created in 1937 as a professional position appointed by the County Commissioners. It was successor to the office of Engineer, and in King County the Road Engineer function was absorbed by the Department of Public Works in 1969.

Photo Collections: Road Engineer
- Bridge files, 1912-1939
- Wharf files, 1906-1979

Updated: Sept. 27, 2004


	Site index Online Directory		You are in: Transportation › Road Services › The History of Roads › Other King County Roads historical resources Other King County Roads historical resources King County Archives The following are road-related records maintained by King County Archives. Contact Archives for information on how to access these records. King County Public Works The Department of Public Works was formed in 1969 and absorbed the duties and responsibilities of the Engineer, Airport, River Improvement, Sanitary Operations and Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund (motor pool and equipment) agencies. Public Works was mainly responsible for the construction and maintenance of county roads (Roads and Engineering), developing and implementing policies and procedures for flood control and surface water management (Surface Water Management), the efficient disposal of solid waste and increasing recycling within King County (Solid Waste and Commission for Marketing Recyclable Materials), and maintaining and operating the county motor pool (Fleet Administration). Previously Public Works was also responsible for maintaining the King County Airport (this function ended in 1993) and operating several sewer districts (this responsibility ended in 1987). In 1996 the various divisions of the Department of Public Works were merged with their counterparts in Metro. King County Engineer The elective office of County Engineer was established in 1907, and took over the duties of the Surveyor. Required to be a licensed civil engineer, the Engineer was mandated to recommend improvements to the Commissioners, to prepare plans, estimates and specifications, and to inspect bridges annually. King County Road Engineer The office of County Road Engineer was created in 1937 as a professional position appointed by the County Commissioners. It was successor to the office of Engineer, and in King County the Road Engineer function was absorbed by the Department of Public Works in 1969. Photo Collections: Road Engineer Bridge files, 1912-1939 Wharf files, 1906-1979 Updated: Sept. 27, 2004