Bob Roegner, manager of King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services, said the monorail measure was ahead by 868 votes by mid-afternoon Tuesday. While a handful of votes remained to be counted, "there are not enough votes to change the result," he said.

"It's over. We build the monorail," said Tom Weeks, chairman of the board of Elevated Transportation Company. " It's a great day for the city. It's a grass-roots movement that's going to change the face of the city forever."

The monorail proposal offered some drawn-out election drama.

Supporters celebrated on Election Day, when the $1.7 billion project was being approved by a margin of 52 percent-48 percent. But that edge eroded as absentee ballots were counted and, by the end of the day Monday, the measure was being defeated by three votes.

Roegner said the latest count showed 94,787 votes for the monorail and 93,919 against it.

Either side can ask for a recount but would have to pay for it.

The vote is the first step toward creating 14 miles of elevated track from Ballard to West Seattle to downtown. The Green Line project would expand upon the one-mile stretch of monorail introduced to Seattle at the 1962 World's Fair.

Funding will come from a 1.4 percent motor vehicle excise tax.

Proponents envision the project as the first segment of a 58-mile system that would eventually connect every neighborhood in the city. Passengers would zip along above the traffic, unimpeded by traffic jams and stoplights. The pollution-free transit would carry people to jobs, shops, and to watch the city's major league teams play.

Opponents labeled the project an aesthetic and financial debacle. They foresee billions being spent that would do little to alleviate traffic congestion, plus miles of elevated track marring the skyline.