News | September 5, 2013

Firm Clients Receive TIGER V Grant Funding

On September 5, 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the 2013 recipients for the fifth round of its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program, which provides competitive funding for surface transportation capital projects around the country.  TIGER funding awarded in this round totaled $474 million to support 52 projects in 37 states.  The list of awardees includes several Firm clients as recipients or beneficiaries:

  • Atlanta BeltLine – The City of Atlanta received $18 million towards construction of 2.5 miles of the 22-mile Atlanta BeltLine, a proposed system of trails, transit, and parks circling downtown Atlanta.  Atlanta BeltLine Inc., a Firm client, is the City’s implementing entity for the Atlanta BeltLine.
  • Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX (Capital Metro) – Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell client Capital Metro received $11.3 million to support a series of commuter and freight rail enhancements in central Texas, including additional sidings and double tracking in critical areas.
  • Sound Transit – Firm client Sound Transit received $24 million, including $10 million to replace 100-year old single-track wooden trestle and bridge with a double-track structure on a route used by both Sound Transit’s Sounder service and Amtrak.  The remaining $14 million will be used to add high occupancy vehicle lanes along the I-90 floating bridge connecting Seattle and Bellevue, helping to prepare the bridge for future light rail service.
  • Maryland Port Administration (State of Maryland) – The Maryland Port Administration, who oversees the operations and management of the State’s public marine terminals, received $10 million towards enhancements at the Port of Baltimore, including construction of a rail intermodal facility to handle expanded automotive exports and imports.  Our attorneys represent the State of Maryland on rail-related matters.
  • Florida Department of Transportation – DOT awarded $13.75 million to improve freight and passenger connectivity in Southern Florida, increasing capacity for current and future passenger traffic on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor as well as other regional freight, commuter, and intercity passenger rail service – including that of Firm client South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, who provides commuter rail service between Miami and West Palm Beach.