Updated, June 1. The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced funding availability in the amount of $600 million for the National Infrastructure Investement Grant or TIGER II program. Pre-applications are due July 16, 2010 and final applications on August 23, 2010. USDOT has established a webpage with instructions and forms on the program.
This competitive grant program is open to local governments as well as state governments, transit, agencies, port authorities, MPO's. Funds can be used for capital investments in highway or bridge projects; public transportation projects; passenger and freight rail transportation projects; port infrastructure investements and intermodal facilites.
The Deparment's selection critieria outcomes once again reflect the change in transportation philosophy at the federal level as priority will be given to those projects that impact livability, sustainability, partnership and innovation as well as economic competitiveness, safety, job creation and state of good repair.
TIGER II grant funding was made available by the Congress after the overwhelming success of first round funding and project applications through the Recovery Act. Future funding is up in the air although under the climate bill introduced by Senators Kerry and Lieberman, one-third of the emissions allowances generated by new carbon fees and emissions auctions - estimated at $1.875 billion per year would be distributed to DOT for additional TIGER grant funding.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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