States $147 Million in TIGER II Funds

''These are innovative, 21st century projects that will change the U.S. transportation landscape by strengthening the economy and creating jobs; reducing gridlock; and providing safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation choices,'' U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. ''Many of these projects could not have been funded without this program.'' - Courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

State transportation departments received a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help fund 10 projects. This included including several that will improve freight connections. These grants were made available by Congress for the second round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program (TIGER II.)

States received grants for five railroad, one highway safety, one bridge, one port, one transit and one electric vehicle projects. Significant awards received by state DOTs includes: $34 million by the Texas Department of Transportation for the Tower 55 railroad project in Fort Worth; $20 million by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for the Memorial Bridge Replacement in Portsmouth; and $17 million by the West Virginia Department of Transportation for West Virginia 10 safety improvements.

The residual effects of those funds could ultimately help the landscape industry, particularly landscape architects and landscape superintendents who work for cities, municipalities and DOTs.

The demand was extremely high for this second round of TIGER grants, funded by USDOT's Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations act (the first round of TIGER grants were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). USDOT received nearly 1,000 grant applications for more than $19 billion from all 50 states, all five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

- Courtesy of AASHTO