Highline figures prominently in the Sound Transit 2 package proposed recently by the agency's board of directors.

If approved by voters, the Sound Transit 2 package, which carries a $10.9 billion price tag, would be financed through a regional sales tax increase of 0.5 percent, or an additional 5 cents on a $10 purchase

It would extend light rail from SeaTac through Des Moines, Federal Way and Fife to the Tacoma Dome, where it would connect with Tacoma's existing light rail system.

A Road & Transit ballot measure backed by Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District, comprised of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, will appear on the November ballot.

Transportation district projects for the ballot measure will be finalized in June.

Sound Transit 2 also would add light rail service north from the University of Washington via Northgate and Shoreline to Mountlake Terrace.

In addition, it would extend light rail across Lake Washington to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond's Microsoft and Overlake Transit Center areas, and Downtown Redmond if sufficient funds are available.

The proposed light rail expansions would add 50 new miles of light rail in the region's busiest transportation corridors, operating 20 hours a day, with service every few minutes during peak times.

Stations on the line would be transit hubs where buses feed riders onto the rail system.

Sound Transit officials say the package is projected to ease pressures on the region's road network by increasing the number of people who use the regional transit system every day to an estimated 351,000 by 2030, or more than 100 million a year.

Approval of the final plan documents by the Sound Transit board is expected at a May 24 meeting. This summer the board will adopt the ballot measure that is submitted to regional election authorities.

In addition to the light rail expansions, the Sound Transit 2 plan would:

Add parking at Sounder commuter rail and ST Express bus facilities.

Fund planning studies for potential high-capacity transit extensions in future phases, which could include Downtown Seattle-West Seattle-Burien and Burien to Renton.

Build a new streetcar in downtown Seattle connecting the International District, First Hill and Capitol Hill areas.

Information on the Sound Transit 2 projects is available at www.soundtransit.org/st2. Information on the proposed Roads & Transit projects is available at http://www.roadsandtransit.org.