President Obama

US President Barack Obama and transportation secretary Anthony Foxx have approved $600m of funds under sixth round of transportation investment generating economic recovery (TIGER) competitive grant programme to aid transportation projects across the country.

The TIGER 2014 grant programme will focus on projects that will offer reliable, safe and affordable transportation options to improve connections for both urban and rural communities.

Transportation secretary Foxx said "President Obama knows that transportation means opportunity for so many Americans

"TIGER investments answer the President’s challenge to expand opportunity through a strong transportation system that connects Americans with a better way of life."

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) will prioritise applications for capital projects that will better connect people to jobs, training and other opportunities; support redevelopment and relinking of neighbourhoods divided by physical barriers like highways and railroads.

"The TIGER grant programme has awarded $3.5bn to 270 projects across 50 states."

The TIGER programme started as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provides federal funding possibilities for large multi-modal projects.

The $474m 2013 TIGER round supported $1.8bn in overall project investments.

The TIGER grant programme has awarded $3.5bn to 270 projects across 50 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico since 2009.

The recent funding has been provided as part of the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Image: US President Barack Obama. Photo: courtesy of Pete Souza.