A big, fat transportation package is emerging in Olympia, which includes $879 million to complete the North Spokane Corridor (aka the North-South Freeway) and $15 million for the Spokane Transit Authority's proposed Central City Line.

The plan - which comes to $16.1 billion - relies on a permanent gas tax bump of 11.9 cents per gallon.

Bicycle and pedestrian projects would receive $89 million in projects through 2031, and another $75 million in grants would be available for funding bike-ped projects. Here's a general breakdown of the plan's spending.

While the plan has the potential to slow the steadily decaying infrastructure in the state, it holds the most promise for Seattle as it would allow Sound Transit to put another $15 billion in tax increases on the 2016 ballot in  Snohomish, King and Pierce counties, primarily to extend the regional light-rail system. 

This story is developing, and our own Jim Camden is keeping an eye on it.

And here's the Seattle Times latest article on the transportation package.

UPDATE:

It looks like the long-discussed bicycle and pedestrian bridge in Spokane's University District was placed in the first tier of bike-ped projects, meaning it will get $8.8 million in state funding for a total of more than $11.4 million.

More details to come.