Demand for TIGER II funding overwhelms supply
Written by jrood
Nearly 1,000 construction grant applications for more than $19 billion from all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia far exceeded the $600 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) II dollars the U.S. Department of Transportation can award for infrastructure projects ranging from highways and bridges to transit and ports, Secretary Ray LaHood said following the August deadline for submissions.
The overwhelming demand
for TIGER II grants continues a trend. Last February 17, the Department
announced 51 grant awards from nearly 1,500 applications for TIGER I grants
nationwide. The TIGER I requests were for almost $60 billion worth of projects,
40 times the $1.5 billion available under that program.
"The wave of applications
for both TIGER II and TIGER I dollars shows the backlog of needed
infrastructure improvements and the desire for more flexible funds," said
Secretary LaHood. "This also shows the opportunities still before us to create
jobs, to reduce congestion, make wise environmental choices and help generate
lasting economic growth."
The $600 million in TIGER
II grants is for capital investment in surface transportation projects. Up to
$35 million can be used for planning grants. The Department of Transportation
has partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to offer
TIGER II planning grants along with HUD’s $40 million in Community Challenge
Planning Grants.
Almost 700 applications were
received for DOT or HUD planning grants. HUD’s funds can be used for localized
planning efforts, such as development around a transit stop and zone or
building code updates and improvements. Combining these funds will provide
applicants with one-stop shopping and greater consistency for community
development projects that include both transportation and housing or economic
development components.
The two Departments, along
with assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, will participate in the evaluation of the planning grant
applications.
TIGER II grants will be
awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on
the nation, a region or metropolitan area. The projects sought are those that
contribute to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation, improve the
condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, increase energy
efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improve the safety of U.S.
transportation facilities and/or enhance the quality of living and working
environments of communities through increased transportation choices and
connections.
The Department will also give priority to projects that are
expected to create and preserve jobs quickly and stimulate rapid increases in
economic activity.
