Metro receives TIGER grant for CORTEX- CWE upgrades 

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today announced the approval of millions of dollars in competitive federal grant funding for infrastructure projects in St. Louis and Washington, Missouri. 

McCaskill said that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award federal TIGER Grants to the Central Corridor Transit Enhancement and Job Access program (Cortex) in St. Louis-which will receive $10,300,000-and to the new Route 47 Missouri River Bridge in Washington, Mo.-which will receive $10,000,000.

 

“After seeing these projects firsthand earlier this year, I knew that new resources would mean more jobs and more economic opportunities for our state-and that’s why I’m thrilled to make this announcement,” McCaskill said. “These grants are competitive, and are awarded based on merit, so Missourians can be confident that these are worthy investments that will strengthen Missouri’s economy.” 

McCaskill also cited the highly competitive nature of these infrastructure grants-noting that for this year’s round of funding, DOT received 797 applications totaling $9.5 billion, 15 times the $600 million available to be spent on the program. 

McCaskill also announced that the Workforce Connex, Mid‐America Regional Council in Kansas City will receive a $1,200,000 planning grant. 

The TIGER grant program-officially the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program-targets major national and regional transportation projects that are often difficult to pursue through other government funding programs. Selected projects must foster job creation, show strong economic benefits, and promote communities that are safer, cleaner, and more livable.