The Sound Transit Board of Directors adopted Dec. 16 a 2011 budget that continues the momentum on major projects underway and sets a long-term path for delivering the bulk of Sound Transit 2 expansions approved by voters in 2008.

Sound Transit revenues expected through 2023 are $3.9 billion, or 25 percent, lower than forecasted in 2008 when voters approved the ST2 expansion plan. The ST2 plan included flexible provisions for delivering the projects during economic downturns including reducing the scope or delaying projects.

Budget details and long-term spending priorities are available at www.soundtransit.org/Budget.
The ST2 plan included 36 miles of light rail expansions south to Federal Way, north to Lynnwood and east to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Overlake, and with the last of the expansions running by the 2023.

The new budget and long-terms plans include continuing studies to open light rail from SeaTac to South 200th Street earlier than planned -- by 2016 and moving forward with High Capacity Transit studies from South 200th Street to South 272nd Street.

Sound Transit staffers also will study better access options to mass transit in south King County.
The board directed staff to continue evaluating options for expanding light rail further south in the wake of the revenue shortfalls. The recession impacts are worst in the south King County subarea, where forecasted revenues are down about 31 percent.

Under Sound Transit's subarea equity framework, each of Sound Transit's five geographic subareas faces a different financial picture. Revenues collected within each area's boundaries must be used for projects that have been identified to benefit that subarea's residents. Projected revenues are down 26 percent in East King County, 28 percent in Snohomish County, 26 percent in Pierce County and 16 percent in north King County, which includes Seattle.