Trump Administration to invest $900 million in American infrastructure

Secretary Elaine L. Chao has announced that the Trump Administration will invest $900 million in American infrastructure through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants programme. The funding has been awarded to 55 projects in 35 states.

“The Administration is targeting BUILD Transportation grants to repair, rebuild and revitalise significant infrastructure projects across the country,” said Secretary Chao.

Fiscal Year 2019 BUILD Transportation grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and have been awarded on a competitive basis to projects with a significant impact in their local or regional communities. BUILD funding supports roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports and intermodal transportation. 

Previously known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grants, the programme selection criteria reportedly encompasses safety, economic competitiveness, quality of life, state of good repair, environmental sustainability, innovation and partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded 50 per cent of the recent BUILD Transportation grant funding to projects located in rural areas, in a bid to improve transportation across the entire country.

For this round of BUILD grants, the maximum grant award is $25 million, and no more than $90 million can be awarded to a single State.