Skip to main content

Substantial demand ‘underscores need for TIGER grants’

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced that applications to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for its seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants totalled US$9.8 billion, almost 20 times the US$500 million set aside for the program, demonstrating the continued need for transportation investment nationwide. Among the 625 applications for grants received this year, 60 per cent are road projects, 18 per cent are transit projects, and eight p
August 3, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced that applications to the 324 US Department of Transportation (DOT) for its seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants totalled US$9.8 billion, almost 20 times the US$500 million set aside for the program, demonstrating the continued need for transportation investment nationwide.

Among the 625 applications for grants received this year, 60 per cent are road projects, 18 per cent are transit projects, and eight per cent are rail projects; with port and bicycle-pedestrian applications each representing six per cent of the total. The Department received 625 eligible construction applications from all 50 states and U.S. territories. There were 565 such applications in 2014.

“The consistent number of high quality projects we’re unable to fund through TIGER every year demonstrates the need for Congress to act to give more communities access to this vital lifeline,” Foxx said. “That is why we proposed doubling TIGER in the Grow America Act.”

The highly competitive TIGER program, which began as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, offers federal funding possibilities for large, transformative multi-modal projects.  These federal funds leverage money from private sector partners, state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies.

Since 2009, the TIGER grant program has provided a combined US$4.1 billion to 342 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Demand has been overwhelming; during the previous six rounds, the Department received more than 6,000 applications requesting more than US$124 billion for transportation projects across the country.

Related Content

  • US closer to finalising a new reauthorisation bill
    January 25, 2012
    Pete Goldin talks with ITS America about the continuing efforts of US Congress to finalise a transportation reauthorisation bill and how this will impact the ITS industry
  • Funding approved for US Ohio River Bridges Project
    December 19, 2013
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for US$452 million to finance the Downtown Crossing section of the Louisville and Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project. The cost of the Downtown Crossing, which Kentucky is funding, is around US$1.3 billion, and represents one half of the bi-state Ohio River Bridges project, which also includes the new East End Bridge, also spanning the Ohio River eight miles to the north
  • Federal grant to improve Nashville MTA
    September 9, 2013
    NASHVILLE’s Metro Transit Authority is to improve and expand the bus service into downtown Nashville, thanks to a US$10 million US Department of Transportation grant. The US$13.8 million project includes the installation of upgraded traffic signal equipment and safety enhancements that will improve bus service and provide a more comfortable ride for transit users.
  • USDOT launches Smart City Challenge
    December 9, 2015
    The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has partnered with Vulcan in the Smart City challenge to mayors and city leaders across America to integrate emerging technology into their transportation networks. The winning city will be awarded up to US$40 million from the US DOT (funding subject to future appropriations) to implement bold, data-driven ideas by making transportation safer, easier, and more reliable. In addition, Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan has announced its intention to award up to US$10 millio