The United States Department of Transportation (“USDOT”) announced Tuesday that it will provide $500 million for an eighth round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery competitive grant program (the “TIGER program”). The TIGER program prioritizes innovative capital projects with a regional focus that generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation. In previous rounds of the TIGER program, K&L Gates has helped clients navigate the highly competitive grant application process to secure funding for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure.

Since 2009, the TIGER program has received more than 67,000 applications, ultimately providing nearly $4.6 billion to 381 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The TIGER program has proven to be an effective opportunity to increase investment in regional infrastructure projects. Municipalities and transportation authorities with innovative multi-modal or multi-jurisdictional projects are encouraged to apply. USDOT has stated that over 40 percent of the last round of grants went to rural projects, the highest percentage since the program was created by the 2009 economic stimulus bill. The program awards grants to urban projects as well.

Application information is available at www.transportation.gov/TIGER. Applications are due April 29, 2016.