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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced recipients of the seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

“It is extremely disappointing that Michigan and the Downriver communities did not receive TIGER funding for critical construction projects. Our district is in desperate need of this funding, most notably for the decades-long problem at Allen Road. We were told the competition was rigorous – the Department of Transportation received 627 applications totaling $10.1 billion, roughly 20 times the available funds. Only 39 communities received a TIGER grant this year with hundreds, including ours, badly needing funding. This is just absolutely unacceptable. 

“This announcement is disappointing for Michigan and our communities, but it is also a symbol of a much larger problem in this country. Our infrastructure is growing worse and worse by the day with a number of deteriorating highways and bridges in dangerous condition. America’s transportation needs outweigh the current funds available, and will continue to do so until we address long-term funding issues at both the federal and state level. We cannot continue to kick the can down the road, allowing our infrastructure to crumble and in the process endangering jobs and the economy. I will continue to work with every mayor in my district and other stakeholders to seek funding for worthy projects, and will keep fighting at the federal level to reauthorize the Highway Trust Fund. At the end of the day, this is a joint responsibility shared by the states and the federal government. I hope the Governor and the State Legislature will also act to find a long-term funding solution to fix this problem.”