The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the 41 projects that will receive approximately $500 million in grant funding from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
To qualify for a TIGER grant, projects must meet specific criteria including economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, innovation and partnerships, safety, state of good repair, and quality of life.
This round of funding gave special consideration to addressing public health and safety, improving infrastructure condition, facilitating economic growth or competitiveness, or promoting regional connectivity.
A record $39.18 million was awarded to tribal projects, and more than 64 percent of projects are in rural areas.
“TIGER grants are targeted investments for our local communities that will increase safety, create jobs and modernize our country’s infrastructure,” Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.
The largest projects, each awarded $25 million, include the Arizona Department of Transportation’s project to implement access management solutions on State Route 189 and Loudon County, Virginia, for the construction of a new 1.6-mile segment of Northstar Boulevard, completing the 14-mile north-south corridor connecting to U.S. Route 50. Additionally, the state of Nebraska’s project to construct a new Lincoln South Beltway, that will connect U.S. Highway 77 and Nebraska Highway 2.
Other grants ranged from $2 million to $20 million.