$12.7m in TIGER Grants Awarded

“TIGER grants are targeted investments for our local communities that will increase safety, create jobs and modernize our country’s infrastructure,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The project converts an abandoned bulk handling facility at the Port of Mobile into a roll-on/roll-off mobile vehicle processing facility.  The facility will be capable of handling automobiles, military vehicles, trucks, other rolling stock, and high/heavy cargos. The project will convert a derelict port site into a useful facility that could serve several automobile manufacturing plants. The new port access will reduce shipping costs to manufacturers in the region. The port intends to deliver the project using a public-private partnership through which the concessionaire operating the facility will make capital contributions and cover operating expenses.

The primary selection criteria for TIGER awards include considerations for safety, state of good repair, economic competitiveness, quality of life and environmental sustainability for each project. Secondary criteria include innovation and partnerships. The criteria used to select projects for these grants were similar to the Administration’s Infrastructure principles of supporting economic vitality and promoting innovation. 

The FY 2017 TIGER program gave special consideration to projects which emphasized improved access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities in rural areas, such as projects that improve infrastructure condition, address public health and safety, promote regional connectivity, or facilitate economic growth or competitiveness.