An open house in Bellevue on Oct. 20 will give people a chance to review how Sound Transit is responding to the recession. The agency faces a $3.9 billion funding gap.

Agency officials say revenues currently expected through 2023 are $3.9 billion, or 25 percent, lower than forecasted in 2008 and that difficult choices need to be made during the 2011 budget process.

The meeting, from 5-7 p.m., will be in the Bellevue City Hall—Concourse, 450 110th Ave. N.E.

While major mass transit expansions are on their way in the years ahead, officials say it is no longer possible to complete the Sound Transit 2 Plan within 15 years. The Sound Transit Board last week received recommendations from CEO Joni Earl on options for realigning agency projects and services in response to the lower revenues.

The open houses offer opportunities for community members to learn about proposed measures and offer views.

The Proposed 2011 Budget, Draft 2011 Transit Improvement Plan and a staff presentation summarizing the proposed project and service realignment in response to the recession are available here. The Draft 2011 Service Implementation Plan is scheduled to be released on Oct. 8.

Comments can be e-mailed to budget2011@soundtransit.org regarding budget issues or to fastride@soundtransit.org for service issues. U.S. Mail can be sent to Sound Transit at Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA, 98104-2826.