Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) will receive $1,499,283 in federal funding to support a transportation study in Far Rockaway and Rockaway Beach, Queens. The funding was allocated through the federal Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant program, which provides funding for road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. Senator Gillibrand urged DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx to approve the application in April.
“Flooding from Superstorm Sandy has devastated communities throughout New York City and left some homes and businesses beyond repair,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This DOT grant will fund a study in Far Rockaway and Rockaway Beach, to help those communities strengthen critical infrastructure to prevent future devastation of homes and businesses and to drive economic growth.”
Both Far Rockaway and Rockaway Beach suffered unprecedented damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. This TIGER grant will support a study that will focus on strengthening their transportation infrastructure. The study will be used to create short-term and long-term improvements that will help sustain those communities during future storms and will enhance economic development initiatives.
The TIGER Discretionary Grant program provides an opportunity for the federal DOT to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. In each round of TIGER, DOT receives many applications to build and repair critical pieces of infrastructure, freight, and passenger transportation networks.
Full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to DOT is attached.