I got a couple of questions today about the TIGER II program, so I thought a review could be helpful.

The 2010 appropriations bill authorized $600 million for National Infrastructure Investments grant program (aka “TIGER II”) to be administered by USDOT. The criteria for the program is expected to be published in March; applicants will have at least 120 days to complete their paperwork.

Grant awards must be announced by September 15th, 2010.

Eligible projects: highway, bridge, transit, passenger and freight rail, and port infrastructure.

Eligible recipients: state and local governments, and transit agencies. (Updated: I have confirmed that Tribes and Ports are eligible recipients.)

Grant amounts: Minimum $10 million, maximum $200 million. A minimum of $140 million is reserved for projects in rural areas (where the minimum grant can be as low as $1 million). No more than 25% can be awarded to a single state.

Match: 20% (may be waived for rural projects). TIGER I had no match requirements.

Up to $35 million can be spent on planning, preparation, or design of eligible projects.

Up to $25 million can be retained by USDOT for administration and oversight.