TIGER's eighth round to fund $500 million in grants

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced today that $500 million will be made available for transportation projects under an eighth round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.

Like the first seven rounds, the fiscal-year 2016 TIGER discretionary grants will fund capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects determined to have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

"Every year, we see hundreds of compelling applications that have the potential to improve people's access to economic opportunities, make people safer, and improve their well-being." said Foxx in a press release. "I am proud that for seven rounds, TIGER has been able to make a valuable contribution to improving our nation's transportation infrastructure, and I look forward to this year’s competition."

The program will focus on capital projects that improve existing conditions, generate economic development and improve access to transportation in urban and rural communities. TIGER VIII grant applications are due April 29.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 does not provide dedicated funding for the planning, preparation, or design of capital projects; however, those activities may be funded as part of an overall construction project, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) officials said.

Since 2009, the TIGER program has provided nearly $4.6 billion to 381 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Demand for the grants is high: The USDOT has processed more than 6,700 applications requesting more than $134 billion for transportation projects.