Cleaver Secures $50 Million in Department of Transportation TIGER Grant Funding for Region

The stuffed, green tigers dotting the landscape near the new Troost Pedestrian Bridge caught more than a few eyes this week, as motorists slowed to take two and three quick looks. The tigers represent the TIGER grant that made the funding of the bridge possible. And why the green? Because the project was 'green' from start to finish.

On April 21, 2014, we unveiled the new pedestrian bridge over Brush Creek. Just four years ago, in February of 2010, I stood a couple blocks away from this very spot with then-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to announce our region's first TIGER grant, of $50 million dollars. We put these funds to work for our community. Now, as we complete the last project, we can only begin to appreciate the changes, big and small, that continue to transform this area into a stronger, safer, greener neighborhood.

The finish, or completion and opening, of the pedestrian bridge is cause to celebrate throughout the entire metropolitan area. We will all enjoy more robust bicycle and pedestrian traffic, as well as better roadways to connect us. This is yet another major accomplishment within the Green Impact Zone and is a result of the first TIGER grant Kansas City received in 2010.

I was honored to help secure this grant and bring home the $50 million needed to better our transit and create safer, and greener, alternatives for travel.

Best of all, according to the Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI), this first TIGER grant had the effect of 2,455 permanent jobs throughout the region, and provided related transportation benefits totaling $710 million.

Now, that's something to roar about!