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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the start of a fourth round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program.

“TIGER 2012” will provide a total of $500 million for surface transportation projects deemed to have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or region.

“President Obama made clear in his State of the Union address that investing in transportation means putting people back to work, and that’s just what our TIGER program is doing in communities across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a prepared statement.  “Americans are demanding investments in highways, ports, commuter rail, streetcars, buses and high-speed rail. These kinds of projects not only mean a stronger economic future for the U.S., but jobs for Americans today.”

As in previous TIGER rounds, high-speed and intercity passenger-rail projects are eligible for funding, and up to $100 million would be available for those projects, USDOT officials said. Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria: safety, economic competitiveness, livability, environmental sustainability, state of repair and short-term job creation. Pre-applications for TIGER 12 grants are due Feb. 20 and applications are due March 19.
  
The previous three rounds of the TIGER program provided $2.6 billion to 172 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The USDOT received more than 3,348 applications in those rounds requesting more than $95 billion for various transportation projects.