What is it?
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the availability of $600 million in TIGER Discretionary Grants. Otherwise known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program, TIGER presents a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. Since 2009, Congress has dedicated more than $4.1 billion for six rounds to fund projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or a metropolitan area.
Boost in Funding
TIGER received a large boost in funding in FY14 — the omnibus spending package approved in January for the fiscal year included a $126 million or 27 percent increase in funding over FY13 sequestration levels. In addition to capital grants, DOT now has the flexibility to award up to $35 million in planning grants. This represents the first time since FY10 that TIGER planning grants have been available.
Despite the funding increase, the demand for grants far outweighs the available funding. During the previous five rounds of grants, DOT has received over 5,300 applications requesting more than $115 billion in funding for transportation infrastructure projects.
Deadline
The time-frame for submitting applications for the latest round of TIGER funding is tight. The deadline is April 28, though applicants are encouraged to submit by April 25 because of planned maintenance on the DOT website over the preceding weekend.