USDOT preps for TIGER VI funding round

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is prepping for the sixth round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program funding. The department plans to soon issue a notice of funding availability, launch a 2014 webinar series and provide applicant instructions for TIGER VI grants.

On Jan. 17, President Barack Obama signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014, which included $600 million for the TIGER program's funds for fiscal-year 2014.

The TIGER program enables the USDOT to use a "rigorous process" to select rail, transit, port and road projects that receive grants. The department seeks transportation projects that promise "exceptional benefits," explore ways to be completed faster and reduce construction costs, and improve infrastructure that help make communities more livable and sustainable, according to the USDOT.

Since the TIGER program was launched in 2009, Congress has allocated more than $4.1 billion for the grants, including $1.5 billion for TIGER I, $600 million for TIGER II, $526.9 million for TIGER III, $500 million for TIGER IV and $473.8 million for TIGER V. The USDOT previously selected 51 projects as TIGER I grant recipients, followed by 75 projects in TIGER II, 46 projects in TIGER III, 47 projects in TIGER IV and 52 projects in TIGER V.