King County buses to roll ahead of schedule

King County Metro Transit announced Wednesday it will add bus service on eight routes ahead of schedule in February, to show voters immediate results from the "Transit Now" ballot measure approved Tuesday.

Voter approval of county Proposition 2 means the county sales tax will increase one-tenth of a percent, with the goal of putting up to 20 percent more Metro Transit buses on the road during the next 10 years.

The tax won't take effect until June, but Metro will increase off-peak trips on Seattle and suburban routes 8, 44, 101, 120, 140, 194, 234 and 245 before that.

Another measure, Seattle's Proposition 1 to raise property taxes for roads, bikeways, bus lanes and safety projects won Tuesday. The levy is projected to cost $36 per $100,000 of assessed value next year, or $144 on a $400,000 house.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said the money will allow the city, for example, to repave streets at three times the current pace (35 miles this year).

The public won't see a significant increase in paving until 2008, after three new road taxes, including the levy, are fully phased in.

Some big proposals — such as rebuilding eastbound Mercer Street as a two-way boulevard and most of the Spokane Street Viaduct widening project — still do not have full funding.

Sims and Nickels hope that by demonstrating quick progress, they'll help voters feel good about a bigger plan headed for next year's ballot — up to $18 billion in regional rail transit and highway construction.

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