On Recovery Act's anniversary, a TIGER roars across America

Just twelve months ago, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, investing in infrastructure upgrades that have helped keep tens of thousands of American workers employed during a period of economic distress as well as created new jobs.

Today we are excited to announce TIGER discretionary grants of $1.5 billion to more than 50 projects from Maine to Hawaii, from Alaska to South Carolina.

DOT's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery discretionary grant program is a crucial part of the Recovery Act. We're trying to help build high-priority innovative transportation projects that were difficult to fund through traditional programs--projects that create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and help develop livable communities.

Were there a lot of projects out there that fit such criteria? You bet there were. In fact, DOT received more than 1,400 applications seeking more than $60 billion in support. Now that is an overwhelming number of interesting and useful projects that testifies to the vitality of American transportation planning.

I think the range of project awards bears that out. From freight rail to streetcars, from roadways to waterways to bikeways, we are affirming the truly multi-modal nature of American transportation.

Another great feature of these grants is that TIGER has spurred new alliances and partnerships as states, regions and communities have come together to address their transportation challenges. Many of these stakeholders are getting direct access to Federal funds for the first time.

And 60% of our TIGER funding will go to economically distressed communities, home to 39% of the U.S. population.

When considering TIGER applications, we had specialists from all over DOT rigorously evaluating projects based on four criteria:

1. Long-term outcomes
   
   • Helping achieve a state of good repair
   • Stimulating economic competitiveness
   • Improving safety
   • Enhancing livability
   • Developing sustainability
2. Job creation and economic stimulus
3. Innovation
4. Partnerships

But the process of rigorous evaluation does not end with the awards. No, we are absolutely committed to tracking the performance of these TIGER projects and their contributions to economic recovery and our long-term goals.

And Congress has already recognized the value of these projects and of the TIGER discretionary model. They have provided another $600 million to allow at least one more round of aligning multi-modal transportation investments with critical national goals.

Folks, this is not just another grant program; this is a new way of recognizing merit, a way that breaks through old formulas and rewards American innovation that serves American communities.

In coming days, I look forward to presenting readers the details of some of our TIGER projects. In the meantime, I heartily encourage you to look through the project descriptions for yourselves.

I think you'll like what you see. I know I do.

Comments

[urb]

Very disappointed that Dallas won for their streetcar but Fort Worth got nothing.

[David Morse]

TIGER is a great system. I hope Congress recognises this and funds it accordingly. A lot of good has been done, but think of what we could do with a strong second round!

[Dan Shingleton]

I'm sure many in the US freight industries will agree that the TIGER grants are extremely welcome. Good freight infrastructure is crucial if President Obama's plans to increase exports over the next five years are to be successful.

[Michael E. Bailey]

TIGER is a great program and the second round is coming at the right time. All the economic reports are reporting improvement that the Census puts out. And those are backed up by the fact that California had over $1 billion go into its Treasury that was unplanned for. That means more people are working; they can buy goods again, and that is stimulating freight transportation and product manufacturing. And the ARRA has played a critical role in making this possible by keeping the economy moving forward in the worst recession since the 1930s. There are a few who don't like it, but they are not interested in economic facts, only in making ARRA look bad for short term political gain (they think) in November. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[gloria]

wow , sounds really good on the surface . Here is hoping that PA decides to actually resurface their roads this year instead of wasting more on hike/bike trails again .

[Martin Weiss]

The SecDOT writes,

"...we are absolutely committed to tracking the performance of these TIGER projects and their contributions to economic recovery and our long-term goals."

This is an important commitment and I hope it will be done objectively, transparently and in sufficient detail so that it is meaningful. I would like to see a performance tracking plan. If possible, there should be an interim plan and comments solicited on what should be in the final plan.

[marlene mahoney]

What a fitting tribute to the first year anniversary than to see the members of the original Tiger Team back at working long tiresome hours, to make another success story come to life.
Kudos to all. Good Job

[Eric Anderson]

Tiger II was supposed to be a competitive grant award, all of the awardsannounced by Congress this week are by Congressman who openly lobbied the Secretary LaHood. Many jurisdictions spent countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars each preparing grants for what was legislated and published as a competitive process.

Every applicant was denied a fair opportunity at these funds due to the misappropriation by LaHood.

I dare anyone to find one Tiger II grant appropriation that doesn't have a press aricle detailing the lobbying done by it's disticts congressman.

President Obama should be ashamed by the actions by LaHood and should call for jis ommediate resignation.