$17.9 billion transit plan headed for ballot

Voters in November will consider a $17.9 billion plan to extend light rail to Lynnwood, Overlake and north Federal Way, and to expand bus service.

The 18-member board voted unanimously late this afternoon to put the measure on the ballot, although two members, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer of Federal Way and King County Executive Ron Sims, said they don't endorse the plan.

The measure, which will be on the ballot in urban parts of King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, is a sequel to last year's failed Roads & Transit Proposition 1. This year's version funds transit only, using a sales tax increase of 5 cents per $10 purchase.

The plan calls for completing the 34 miles of new rail by 2023, with some stations opening a few years sooner.

In recent days, some money in the proposal has been shifted to add express buses linking Everett and Lynnwood to Seattle and Bellevue, assuring trips every 15 minutes at the busiest times.

State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond earlier had been leaning no on the Sound Transit package. A modest increase in bus hours was added today at her request. The idea is to add more short-term relief for commuters dealing with soaring gas prices.

The plan also would boost Sounder train service to add four round-trip trains between Pierce County and Seattle, and add station expansions.

Late next year, light-rail service begins from downtown Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; a north line to Capitol Hill and Husky Stadium is already scheduled for completion in 2016.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com.