Another round of TIGER funding has been announced by the USDoT. Project applications are due by October 16th, 2017. Please contact us for more information about the program and views about the kinds of projects that DoT is seeking to fund. One of our senior partners would be pleased to chat with you about your project or project concept and offer advice. Contact: Adam Wasserman at adam@gldpartners.com and we’ll set-up a confidential discussion to include our Washington office director Eric Peterson.
As described in the official announcement, eligible projects for TIGER Discretionary Grants are capital projects that include, but are not limited to:
- road or bridge projects eligible under title 23, United States Code;
- public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code;
- passenger and freight rail transportation projects;
- port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry);
- intermodal projects
This notice is substantially similar to the final notice published for the TIGER Discretionary Grants program in the Federal Register on February 26, 2016 (81 FR 9935) for FY 2016 funds. The selection criteria remain fundamentally the same as previous rounds of TIGER Discretionary Grants, but the description of each criterion was updated. The FY 2017 TIGER program will additionally give special consideration to projects which emphasize improved access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities in rural areas, such as projects that improve infrastructure conditions, address public health and safety, promote regional connectivity, or facilitate economic growth or competitiveness. For this round of TIGER Discretionary Grants, the maximum grant award is $25 million, and no more than $50 million can be awarded to a single State, as specified in the FY 2017 Appropriations Act.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Department of Transportation’s National Infrastructure Investments under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation, DOT
ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity
SUMMARY: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31, May 5, 2017) (“FY 2017 Appropriations Act” or the “Act”) appropriated $500 million to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (“DOT” or the “Department”) for National Infrastructure Investments. This appropriation stems from the program funded and implemented pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”) known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or “TIGER Discretionary Grants,” program. Because of the program’s similarity in structure and widespread name recognition, DOT will continue to refer to the program as “TIGER Discretionary Grants.” Funds for the FY 2017 TIGER program (“TIGER FY 2017”) are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. The purpose of this Final Notice is to solicit applications for TIGER Discretionary Grants.
DATES: Applications must be submitted by 8:00 PM E.D.T. on October 16, 2017
A. Program Description
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31, May 5, 2017) (“FY 2017 Appropriations Act” or the “Act”) appropriated $500 million to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (“DOT” or the “Department”) for National Infrastructure Investments. Since the TIGER Discretionary Grants program was first created, $5.1 billion has been awarded for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure over eight rounds of competitive grants. Throughout the TIGER program, TIGER Discretionary Grants awards have supported projects that have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. This includes, but is not limited to, capital projects in areas which repair bridges or improve infrastructure to a state of good repair; projects that implement safety improvements to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, including improving grade crossings or providing shorter or more direct access to critical health services; projects that connect communities and people to jobs, services, and education; and, projects that anchor economic revitalization and job growth in communities, and specifically those that help bring manufacturing and other jobs. The TIGER program also supports projects that demonstrate significant non-Federal contributions from State, local, and private sector funding sources. The Department recognizes the benefits of shared responsibility and accountability of infrastructure investment, as it facilitates increased rigor in decision making, provides evidence of support for the project, and leverages Federal investment. Over eight rounds, on average, projects attracted more than 3.6 matching dollars for every TIGER grant dollar, representing the shared responsibility for funding infrastructure.
Rural America is home to many of the nation’s most critical infrastructure assets, including 444,000 bridges, 2.98 million miles of roadway, and 30,500 miles of Interstate Highway. More than 55 percent of all public roads are locally-owned rural roads. While only 19 percent of the nation’s population lives in rural areas, 51 percent of all traffic fatalities occurred on rural roads (2014). In addition, public transportation serving rural areas has more than 160 million annual boardings (2015).
