CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-cent transit sales tax referendum that will generate roughly $19 billion over 30 years for public transportation projects.

The funding will support bus improvements, road infrastructure improvements, light rail and other public transportation projects. The measure means Mecklenburg County will have the highest sales tax rate in North Carolina.

The measure passed with a little more than 52 percent of the vote . The areas that voted most heavily against it include precincts in North Mecklenburg, Matthews, and the Ballantyne area.

Both Democratic and Republican officials supported the referendum. Democrat Leigh Altman, a county commissioner, and Republican Ed Driggs, a city council member, campaigned for the measure.

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