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The campaign for passage of the proposed 1 percent sales tax for transportation is maintaining a slow but steady presence as the July 31 election day approaches.

After its launch on April 4 with the introduction of an advertising campaign on TV and radio, the campaign is well beyond its midway point. About six weeks remain before the vote.

The campaign went on the offensive Wednesday, issuing a media advisory chiding a leader of the Tea Party for saying an increase in the gas tax was a viable option to the sales tax as a means of raising money for mobility improvements. Previously, the campaign has largely involved statements of support from celebrities, elected officials and organizations; and an information campaign conducted via “wireside” chat.

Whether by choice or chance, state and regional transportation officials have announced a slew of new projects in the four months leading up to the July 31 vote on the proposed 1 percent sales tax for transportation.

The projects range from the regionally significant to locally symbolic – the Northwest Corridor tollway through Cobb and Cherokee counties, and the replacement of the scenic safety fence along the 17th Street Bridge in Midtown.

Two of the larger projects don’t have enough money for construction – the Northwest Corridor and MARTA’s expansion plan in DeKalb County.

However, taken as a whole, the announced projects illustrate the potential power of the government and private sector to reduce the region’s overall traffic congestion and maintain the roadway system. As individual tasks, each project offers the promise of reminding drivers, i.e., voters, how their commute can be improved by having even one of their problem areas addressed – as is promised by advocates for the transportation sales tax.