DOT launches $600 million infrastructure program

DOT launches $600 million infrastructure program    The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday solicited applications from public and private entities for $600 million worth of infrastructure grants to be awarded on a competitive basis similar to the popular TIGER discretionary grants earlier this year.
   In February, the DOT awarded $1.5 billion in transportation investment grants from the Recovery Act to 51 projects after receiving more than 1,400 applications seeking $60 billion. Less than 3 percent of the applications, by dollar value, received any funding.
   The second tranche of money for innovative, multi-jurisdictional projects of regional or national significance was modeled on the TIGER program and included in the 2010 fiscal year appropriation for the DOT and Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money can be used for highway, bridge, passenger and freight rail, public transportation, and port improvements. Grants can range in size from a minimum of $10 million to a maximum of $200 million. The largest grant offered under the original TIGER program was $105 million.
   Eligible applicants include states, local governments, port authorities, transit agencies and metropolitan planning organizations. The DOT said applicants increase their chances of winning if they can demonstrate significant project funding contributions from non-federal sources. Projects will be selected based on their ability to repair infrastructure to good condition, contribute to economic competitiveness, foster livability, and reduce environmental impacts.
   Available money for planning purposes — $75 million — will be awarded in conjunction with HUD for transportation and community planning grants as part of the Obama administration's multiagency initiative to promote sustainable communities by aligning transportation, housing, economic development and land use planning. HUD has $40 million available for its Community Challenge Planning Grants program. The Sustainable Communities initiative attempts to encourage metropolitan planners to consider affordable housing, alternative transportation options and pollution reduction efforts.
   Under the 2010 Appropriations Act, at least $140 million in grants must be used for projects in rural areas. There was no comparable amount set aside for rural areas in the Recovery Act. The current program also differs in that it does not emphasize job creation as one of its goals and instead will exclusively focus on a project's merit.
   The announcement about so-called TIGER II funding availability also includes criteria on how project winners will be selected and pre-application and application requirements. The DOT is also accepting comments about the grant process and selection criteria.
   The TIGER II grant notice can be found here ' Eric Kulisch