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It's taken more than four weeks to carefully tally the votes, and now it's official. Measure R, Los Angeles County's half-cent sales tax proposal aimed at funding transportation improvements, has passed with more than a two-thirds majority, the L.A. County Registrar announced yesterday. The measure appeared on the Nov. 4 ballot and was widely reported as having passed; however, the registrar still hadn't provided a final vote count.

Approved by a 67.93 percent majority, Measure R is expected to generate about $40 billion during the next 30 years to fund transit and highway projects, and support transit operations throughout the county.  

The sales tax will take effect July 1, 2009. In January, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) officials are expected to unveil a financial plan that outlines their strategy for completing projects, such as the Metro Gold Line Foothill extension, regional light-rail connector in downtown L.A., Metro Green Line extension to Los Angeles International Airport and the Westside subway extension.  

The measure will delay a LACMTA fare increase for one year, the agency said.