A light-rail timeline

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1995: Voters reject a $6.7 billion transit package that includes 69 miles of light rail.

1996: Voters approve a scaled-back, $3.9 billion transit plan that includes a $1.6-billion, 21-mile light-rail line from Seattle's University District south through downtown Seattle to SeaTac. Trains expected to start running by 2006.

1999: Sound Transit board approves detailed plans for route and stations. Local opposition grows.

December 2000: Sound Transit reveals light-rail project is $1 billion over budget and three years behind schedule.

January 2001: On its final day in office, Clinton administration approves $500 million federal commitment for project over key congressman's objections. Bob White, Sound Transit's executive director, resigns under fire and is replaced by deputy Joni Earl.

April 2001: U.S. Department of Transportation's inspector general issues report blasting project, now estimated to cost $4.1 billion. Federal government withholds $50 million previously allocated for project.

November 2001: Sound Transit board approves scaled-back, 14-mile line from downtown Seattle to Tukwila. Cost estimate: $2.1 billion.

August 2002: Federal government releases $50 million it had withheld earlier.

November 2002: State voters approve Initiative 776 which, among other things, would repeal regional motor-vehicle excise tax that provides 20 percent of Sound Transit's revenue. Sound Transit and others challenge initiative in court.

February 2003: Federal Transit Administration gives revised light-rail plan its highest rating. King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu finds Initiative 776 unconstitutional. Measure's backers and state appeal to state Supreme Court; decision pending.

July 2003: U.S. Department of Transportation's inspector general issues new, favorable report on Sound Transit light rail. Federal Transit Administration notifies Congress it intends to commit $500 million for construction of revised light-rail project.

September 2003: U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., chairman of House transportation spending subcommittee, formally objects to $500 million commitment, in part because of concern about impact of Initiative 776 if found constitutional. Money is on hold.

Oct. 2: Sound Transit sends letter to Istook providing details on how it can still build light rail even if it loses motor-vehicle excise-tax revenues.

Oct. 22: Istook lifts his hold on the $500 million, provided Sound Transit and Federal Transit Administration agree to three conditions.

Oct. 23: Sound Transit Board accepts Istook's conditions. Project now estimated to cost $2.44 billion. Completion date: 2009.

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