DOT claws $527 million for TIGER III
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday it has made $527 million available for a third round of merit-based, competitive TIGER grants to improve infrastructure.
Projects must demonstrate their ability to meet one or more criteria, including whether they improve U.S. economic growth, safety and community quality of life; as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. States, localities, port authorities, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and coalitions that include private partners are eligible for the grants.
The DOT distributed $2.1 billion to 126 projects, including 33 planning projects, through the first two rounds of TIGER grants. Intermodal and freight rail was one of the leading sectors to receive money.
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The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program began in 2009 as part of the stimulus bill designed to fund shovel-ready projects and spur job creation. The Recovery Act included $1.5 billion for the TIGER program and the Obama administration followed that up with $600 million in the 2010 budget.
The $527 million now on the table was approved by Congress in April after passing the long-stalled fiscal year 2011 budget. The Obama administration’s 2012 budget calls for another $2 billion for the popular TIGER program.
The DOT received more than 2,500 applications seeking $79 billion during the first two rounds.
The department plans to post the Notice of Funding Availability here later today. It will also host a half-day seminar and webcast at 1-4 p.m., July 18, to offer guidance on the TIGER application process.