Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors
Flight ABC was told by Ramp Control to hold short of N3.  We kept looking for N3 but never saw it.  Was told by the Ramp Control that we passed it.  We advised Ramp we never saw it.  It no longer exists.  We were told most pilots know about where it was.  How can you be told to hold short of something that doesn't exist?  Neither pilot had taxied north of the north satellite in many months.  SEA Ramp Control gave a clearance to hold short of N3 which no longer exist. ATC should not tell aircraft to hold short of something that does not exist.  With the construction on the airport; pilots have enough to focus on and ATC should not assume all pilots are aware of how things used to be!
Air carrier Captain reported being issued instructions to hold short of a taxiway that no longer exists at SEA airport and that they could not visually locate. ATC subsequently advised that the aircraft had passed the taxiway.