Bellingham voters approve sales tax increase for transportation projects

City voters approved a measure to increase the sales tax to pay for transportation projects, early ballot returns Tuesday, Nov. 2, show.

The measure to raise the tax inside city limits by two-tenths of 1 percent was passing 55 percent in favor compared to 45 percent against, according to the Whatcom County Auditor's Office.

The tax increase will pay for three types of transportation projects: annual street repaving, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, and contracting with Whatcom Transportation Authority to restore some of the Sunday bus service that was eliminated in September.