US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Wednesday that 42 capital construction projects and 33 planning projects in 40 states will share nearly $600 million from the US Department of Transportation's popular TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) II program for major infrastructure projects ranging from highways and bridges to transit, rail and ports.
"These are innovative, 21st century projects that will change the US transportation landscape by strengthening the economy and creating jobs, reducing gridlock and providing safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation choices," said Secretary LaHood.
Roughly 29 percent of TIGER II money goes for road projects, 26 percent for transit, 20 percent for rail projects, 16 percent for ports, 4 percent for bicycle and pedestrian projects and 5 percent for planning projects.
Under TIGER II, more than $140 million is reserved for projects in rural areas.