Sound Transit Puts Rail Expansion Project on November Ballot

SEATTLE (AP) — Officials with the regional Puget Sound transit agency have voted to put a $54 billion light rail expansion plan on the November ballot.

KCPQ-TV reports that the plan approved Thursday is aimed at expediting the construction of the project and bringing rail lines to Everett, Redmond, Issaquah, Tacoma, West Seattle and Ballard.

Officials had initially said the work would be completed in 25 years, but the Sound Transit board made changes to the plan earlier this month that sped up the construction process by a few years.

Voters will get to decide in November whether to approve the project, which would add 62 miles of light rail and 37 stations.

The rail expansion would be funded, in part, through new voter-approved sales, car tab and property taxes.