Washington, D.C.—Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Port of Vancouver $10 million in grant funding for construction on the West Vancouver Freight Access Project.  The funding will go towards constructing a new access route to reduce rail traffic congestion for entry and exits points at the Port of Vancouver.

“Investing in our infrastructure is vital for Southwest Washington,” said Congressman Baird.  “This project will put people to work, and it helps grow the Port’s economic potential. This funding means that more freight can move through the Port of Vancouver, which benefits our local, and the national economy.  The returns on this investment will be immediate.”

Funding for the West Vancouver Freight Access Project is provided by the DOT’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER II) Discretionary Grant Program.  The TIGER II grant program was created under the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

The DOT awards TIGER II grants for innovative infrastructure projects across the country that would be difficult to fund under existing federal programs.  Successful TIGER II applicants utilized partnerships with state and local governments and the private sector to meet their growing transportation needs.

A total of 75 TIGER II grants out of nearly 1,000 applications were awarded nationwide.