Department of Transportation Announces 2012 TIGER Grant Awards

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nearly $500 million of Transportation Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds to 47 transportation projects in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

State and local officials across the country described the significant impact these grants will have in their communities:

"Thanks to the President Obama and Secretary LaHood, Sacramento will continue to transform our Rail yards and build upon the efforts of so many to make us known as a City that delivers on job creation, economic development and big transportation and infrastructure projects,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento.

“Our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and rail companies allows us to strengthen Illinois’ position as a national transportation leader,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn explained the impact the TIGER program will have on his city: "We will complete the River walk, which is 20 years in the making." He continued, "Downtown Tampa will be a vastly different place as a result."

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom pointed out that in California, TIGER funds are helping by “revitalizing an entire sector of San Francisco and creating jobs. The TIGER grant for this project will build on state and local investment to support this important infrastructure.”

“These transit improvements are exactly the sort of job-creating transportation infrastructure investments that President Obama talked about in his State of the Union address and this TIGER IV award will help create the centerpiece of the 10 ½ acre privately-funded EastSide III redevelopment, bringing more jobs and residents to the area,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl of Pittsburgh.

Find additional information on TIGER grants and more at dot.gov.

David Agnew is Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.