Tuesday is the big day: Mecklenburg County voters will decide whether to approve raising the sales tax to fund a multibillion-dollar transportation plan. Transit Time has been covering the issue for years, and with Election Day fast approaching, here is an overview of the plan, followed by details of what it would do.

Robert Dawkins of Action NC on the pitfalls of the proposed sales tax increase to pay for transit and transportation

Shannon Binns of Sustain Charlotte discusses why he believes raising Mecklenburg's sales tax for transit and transportation is a good idea.

Supporters call the referendum a once-in-a-generation chance to expand rail and roads — though money doesn’t always stretch as far as envisioned.

In Charlotte, much of the revenue from a higher sales tax would fund upgrades for pedestrian safety, intersections and sidewalks — not just new or wider roads.

If voters approve a higher sales tax in November, 20% of the money would go toward buses. The goals are to improve frequency, stops, safety — and expand microtransit after years of declining ridership.

The transit plan on November’s ballot would aid biking, cyclists say — but safety can’t be built overnight.

An increase in Mecklenburg’s sales tax to 8.25% would raise billions for roads and transit upgrades — prices would rise slightly on most things you buy.

Transit/roads bill gets unanimous approval in House transportation committee; bill removes some flexibility on spending.

Money from an increased transit sales tax might replace — not supplement — existing spending on roads, fueling more spending on non-transportation projects.