The Seattle Times: Politics: Your guide to the gas-tax initiative

Last spring the state Legislature approved a 9.5-cent-a-gallon gas-tax increase, to be phased in over four years, to fund 274 state road projects. Initiative 912, on the ballot in November, would repeal the increase. A guide to understanding the gas tax and Initiative 912.

The purpose | The projects | The cost | The alternatives

The projects: The money would be spread out statewide, but there would be a few big local projects

The new gas-tax money, along with increases in weight and licensing fees for cars and light trucks, would fund 274 projects across the state, nearly half of them in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Nearly all are road projects, but $185.million is earmarked for ferries.

Biggest projects are in the Puget Sound area

DUSTIN SNIPES / SEATTLE TIMES

Alaskan Way Viaduct: $2 billion

With the gas tax and other money already earmarked, the state has enough to rebuild the aging structure but not replace it with a tunnel.

STEVE RINGMAN / SEATTLE TIMES

Interstate 405: $990 million

Several projects would add ramps and car-pool lanes to ease congestion, including at the spot where I-405 and Highway 167 meet in Renton.

BETTY UDESEN / SEATTLE TIMES

Highway 520 bridge: $500 million

The money would complete plans for a new bridge and buy some needed right of way. Finishing the project would cost an additional $2 billion.