Sound Transit hits roadblock

Sound Transit's timetable for building more light rail could wind up being delayed because of the region's indecision over how to replace the Highway 520 floating bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

That's one consequence of a bill state lawmakers in Olympia passed this week, blocking the transit agency from putting a list of new rail, bus and park-and-ride projects to a public vote this year.

It also requires that 2007 ballot measures for both Sound Transit and for regional highways win voter approval — or none of the projects gets built.

Voters face a double-or-nothing choice, whether to bankroll an expected $12 billion or more in projects for urban Snohomish, King and Pierce counties.

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, who helped negotiate the deal, hopes it will end the "holy war" between transit advocates and road boosters by tying their fortunes together.

Lawmakers linked the two, believing a transit-only package would die at the hands of suburban voters who rely more on highways. A roads plan, to be determined by the three county councils, would almost certainly fail in Seattle.

What bothers Sound Transit Chairman John Ladenburg is the one-year delay. He says it might interrupt what he hopes is "continuous construction," as the agency attempts to extend light rail south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and north of downtown Seattle, in a few years.

"The public expects us now to put a transit plan forward for them," said Ladenburg, who is also Pierce County executive.

He worries that if the twin transportation measures failed on that initial vote in 2007, transit staff and engineers would be laid off by the time the politicians could regroup for a second try in 2008.

But state Rep. Fred Jarrett, R-Mercer Island, said the deal is "good for the region," because it forces officials to finally make tough choices, especially about replacing Highway 520, which he considers more urgent than light rail.

Like the viaduct, the floating bridge is slowly crumbling, lacks safety shoulders and could be crippled in an earthquake. Jarrett calls Highway 520 an "orphan," because neither Seattle nor the Eastside has taken responsibility for funding a new $3.1 billion span between them.

Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, said he opposed the bill because it hinders Sound Transit, which he considers more popular than roads. Eastside Republicans "are worried they can't get their roads package passed," he said.

Despite Sound Transit's misgivings, it's unclear the board could have chosen its next wave of projects in time for a fall election.

The city and county officials on its board have yet to pare a wish list — highlighted by light-rail lines to Bellevue, Kent and Northgate — that stood at 62 projects in January. Ladenburg said he believes Sound Transit could have trimmed those by spring.

Instead, he canceled today's board meeting. There's no hurry anymore.

Times staff reporter Karen Gaudette contributed to this report. Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com