Applying for Federal Transportation Grants

Statement

As your Congressman, I have worked to help save and create jobs by supporting investments to modernize our infrastructure. Infrastructure is the backbone of our economy, and state and local governments must be equipped with tools to solve their most critical transportation challenges to support growth and development.

That is why I have been a strong supporter of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program, which was formed in 2009 to help state and local governments meet critical transportation needs. TIGER grants fund capital investments in surface transportation that generate economic development and improve access to reliable and affordable transportation while emphasizing improved connection to employment, education, services, workforce development, or community revitalization. Since its inception, TIGER grants have helped fund infrastructure investments in New Mexico, including a $3.3 million project in 2013 that reconstructed the Taos Pueblo Veterans Highway that connects Taos Pueblo to Taos and provides access for workers and visitors.

In 2015, the TIGER program will make $500 million available for high impact transportation projects across the country. This offers a tremendous opportunity for New Mexico to make critical infrastructure improvements that will boost our economy. I encourage state and local leaders in New Mexico to identify projects that meet the criteria of the TIGER program and to submit competitive proposals.

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