$54 billion Sound Transit plan heading to voters

It's official: Voters throughout the region will decide on a giant transportation plan on November's ballot.

The Sound Transit board unanimously approved the $54 billion ST-3 plan on Thursday.

It would extend light rail to Issaquah, Everett, Tacoma, Ballard and West Seattle, among other places. It would also boost the region's bus system.

Mike McQuaid, president of the South Lake Union community council, said he’s happy that the neighborhood would get a light rail stop if voters approve the package.

He said the amount of current construction in the area is equivalent to eight Columbia Center skyscrapers.

"The package is very mindful and thoughtful, not just to commuters today, but to commuters tomorrow,” he said. “The amount of not only workers, but residents in South Lake Union, as well as the rest of the city, is growing astronomically. And we need to keep pace with the rest of the world, if not lead the rest of the world, in our transportation solutions."

But a group called No On ST-3 was also at the meeting.

Shoreline resident Ginny Scantlebury said it wouldn't solve her transportation problems.

"There's no plans right now for any east-west transportation,” she said. “I live as far west as you can get on Puget Sound, so how am I going to get to light rail when it's up by I-5? We don't have any transportation."

She also said the ballot measure costs too much.

The Sound Transit Board approved the plan and will send it to voters in the region.