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    ‘No longer affordable’: Sound Transit outlines future of light rail projects

    Sound Transit passes funding gap plan, prompting a sweeping overhaul of its ST3 expansion plan and delaying some projects while seeking new revenue sources. SEATTLE — Sound Transit’s governing board approved a sweeping overhaul of its voter-approved ST3 expansion plan Thursday, acknowledging a projected $34.5 billion funding gap that agency leaders say makes the original schedule unaffordable. The vote follows months of discussion over rising construction costs, inflation, lower-than-expected revenues and increasing operating expenses that have left the agency unable to fully fund the regional transit expansion package voters approved in 2016. This story continues below. An…

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    Sound Transit board approves plan to address $34B funding gap, extension promises

    The vote comes as the regional transit agency faces rising construction costs, inflation and lower-than-expected revenue projections. SEATTLE — Sound Transit’s governing board approved a long-term plan Thursday aimed at addressing a projected $34 billion funding gapformally acknowledging that major transit projects approved by voters nearly a decade ago cannot all be delivered on their original timelines. The board approved the resolution in a 16-2 vote following hours of public comment and debate at Union Station in Seattle. This story continues below. The vote comes as the regional transit agency faces rising construction costs, inflation and lower-than-expected…

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    Meta to cut nearly 1,400 jobs across Puget Sound region

    The largest share of affected workers is tied to Meta’s Bellevue office at 1550 121st Ave. NE, where approximately 699 employees are expected to lose their jobs. BELLEVUE, Wash. — Meta plans to lay off approximately 1,395 employees in Washington state this summer, according to a notice filed with the state Employment Security Department. The company notified affected workers on May 20 and expects the separations to take effect July 22. The layoffs are expected to be permanent, according to the filing. This story continues below. The largest share of affected workers is tied to Meta’s Bellevue…