WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that $527 million will be available for a third round of the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) competitive grant program, which funds innovative transportation projects that will create jobs and have a significant impact on the nation, a region or a metropolitan area.

  SKOKIE, ILL. — The effective and efficient use of three performance management tools, already at least partially deployed in many states, could result in significant cost savings to state departments of transportation, according to research recently commissioned by the Portland Cement Association (PCA). A new white paper, “Delivering Taxpayer Value: Three Tools That Can Help Ensure a More Efficient Cost-Effective Infrastructure,” examines how three common economic, design and bidding tools, when used together, provide the best value to states and the taxpayers they serve.

  TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Ananth Prasad announced that Governor Rick Scott authorized the department on behalf of the state of Florida to sign the pending Full Funding Grant Agreement for the SunRail project in Central Florida. SunRail is a commuter rail transit project that will run along a 61-mile stretch of existing rail freight tracks in Central Florida.

  FRESNO, CALIF. — Caltrans announced that it awarded its first design-build project — the State Highway 99 Chowchilla Rehabilitation Project — to Granite Construction Company. Design-build is currently being used in 32 other states. Caltrans obtained design-build authority in February 2009 with the passage of Senate Bill 4 (second extraordinary session). The legislation established a demonstration program, which allows 10 design-build projects for Caltrans and five for local transportation agencies, subject to authorization by the California Transportation Commission.

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $1.58 billion for 27 transit projects nationwide. The projects are receiving funding under the New Starts program, through which the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides federal support for major capital construction projects such as subways, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit.