The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program Round 5 is underway as House and Senate appropriators are making decisions that will ultimately determine if there is a Round 6 in FY 2014. A total of 568 project applications were submitted to the Department of Transportation by the June 3 deadline. While they represent around $9 billion in planned projects, it is the lowest number of TIGER applications to date.
Still, it shows a continuing demand for infrastructure funding that is reflected in the recent Senate Appropriations Committee decision to recommend $550 million for FY 2014. However, the House counterpart bill follows that body’s general practice of not funding the program, which has had its Republican critics, including accusations of Obama Administration favoritism in deciding grant awards. The House Appropriations bill also includes a recission of $237 million for FY 2013. Round 5 awards are expected in the Fall of this year.