WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded nearly $40 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants to the Virginia Port Authority and the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) to improve critical transportation infrastructure.  Both projects have committed to match the TIGER grants with state and local funds.

The Virginia Port Authority has been awarded $15 million to fund the Norfolk International Terminal Intermodal Gate Complex and Interstate 564 Connector project. This project will improve the daily commute for thousands in the Hampton Roads region, including thousands of active duty military personnel accessing the world’s largest Navy base, by alleviating congestion on Hampton and Terminal Boulevards in Norfolk. 

The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) was awarded a $24.9 million grant to support construction of a rapid transit project connecting the Willow Lawn area in Henrico County to Rocketts Landing in the East End of Richmond, including Main Street Station. 

“These grants will help Virginia remain globally competitive by investing in critical infrastructure projects, while also creating jobs, alleviating congestion, and spurring economic development,” Sen. Warner said.  “The I-564 project funding will provide essential access for the Port, helping one of Virginia's most important economic engines function more efficiently. Additionally, this $25 M in federal funding will allow GRTC to make critical improvements along the Broad Street corridor, allowing for improved access to jobs and economic revitalization. I am proud to have worked with the Port Authority, GRTC, state and local officials, and US DOT to provide this funding for these much-needed projects.”

The federal funds were awarded through USDOT’s TIGER program, a highly competitive grant program that awards federal funds for significant road, rail, transit and port projects. The funds are meant to jumpstart critical projects for which all required engineering and environmental reviews are complete or near completion and which are ready for construction.  USDOT received 797 eligible applications in FY 2014.