By now most readers are probably aware that the DC region was awarded a TIGER grant today by the federal government. We got $58.8 million out of an original package that included over $200 million in requests. That sounds like a disapointment, but actually it’s a huge win for the region. Competition was extremely tight, and we got more than most.

The table below lists how much we requested and how much we actually got for each of the component projects. Click a project name or scroll below the table for a brief description of each of the winning projects.

More information is available via:

• The original TPB TIGER application (from September)
• The USDOT TIGER grantee announcement (from today)
• TPB report on grant recipients (from today)

DC Area Regional TIGER Request:

Information About Winning Projects:
Descriptions from TPB report.

• 16th Street Bus Priority Improvements
  Proposed capital improvements include a queue jump lane, NextBus real time passenger information displays at 17 stop locations, and transit signal priority/traffic system management (left turn phase for bus) at a number of intersections.

• Georgia Avenue Bus Priority Improvements
  Improvements include completing TSP implementation at several intersections, bulb-outs, and nearly 30 stop locations enhanced with NextBus real time arrival technology. Additionally, a bus only lane would be constructed on Georgia Avenue for short span.
• H Street/Benning Road Bus Priority Improvements
  A left turn phase for buses at a busy intersection, a queue jump lane, and NextBus real time arrival technology displays at 22 bus stop locations. These improvements support future streetcar plans.
• Wisconsin Avenue Bus Priority Improvements
  Capital improvements include transit signal priority and/or traffic signal management at a number of intersections and NextBus real time arrival technology deployed to a number of express service stop locations.
• Addison Road Improvements
  Bus shelters along the existing P12 bus route will be upgraded with NextBus realtime arrival prediction displays.
• University Boulevard Bus Priority Improvements
  Improvements include four queue jump lanes, transit signal priority at around 20 intersections, and a number of bus stop enhancements, such as the deployment of NextBus technology. This project will support planned light rail transit, such as the Purple Line, and will utilize the Takoma Langley Transit Center also included in this proposal.
• U.S. Route 1 Bus Priority Improvements
  Capital improvements proposed include queue jump lanes and transit signal priority at several intersections.
• Veirs Mill Bus Priority Improvements
  Capital improvements include a queue jump lane and NextBus real time bus arrival displays at several stations along the route.
• Potomac Yard Transitway
  Bus transitway in the median of US 1 within Alexandria city limits, providing exclusive right of way for buses. Other funding sources have been identified to provide passenger amenities, such as transitway stations and new buses. Alexandria’s portion of the Crystal City / Potomac Yard Transitway, a joint facility with Arlington. Arlington’s portion is already funded.
• VA 7 (Leesburg Pike) Bus Priority Improvements
  Improvements include NextBus displays at several express service bus stops and transit signal priority at a number of intersections along the corridor.
• Van Dorn-Pentagon Rapid Bus
  New rapid bus service in the City of Alexandria from the Van Dorn Metrorail Station in the City of Alexandria to the Pentagon. It will incorporate limited stop service, signal prioritization, super stops, and possibly queue jump lanes; however, the City of Alexandria eventually seeks to build exclusive bus lanes on Van Dorn Street. This project is being developed partly to support a the Mark Center BRAC facility opening at Seminary Road and I-395 by September 2011.
• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to K Street Bus Priority Improvements
  This corridor is a major access point for commuters into the Washington D.C. central business district, and would receive complimentary transit signal priority and bus mounted enforcement cameras along E Street, northbound 18th Street, and southbound 19th Street. Local money may be provided for dedicated curbside bus lanes, if deemed feasible.
• 14th Street Bus Priority Improvements
  This is a major access point for commuters into the Washington D.C. central business district, and includes complimentary transit signal priority and bus mounted enforcement cameras along 14th Street from the bridge to K Street. Bus only lanes may be included along 14th Street to south of Constitution Ave, which is consistent with a current federal EIS process to reconfigure the bridge in concert with HOT lane development on I-395 south of the bridge. Local money may be provided to extend the bus only lanes to K Street.
• I-95/395 Multimodal Improvements
  Station improvements at Pentagon Station and Franconia/Springfield Station, including bus bays, real time bus information, and traffic circulation/access/security improvements. Major technology improvements include a mobile web application for real-time bus information, bus information display, cameras outfitted on 40 buses, computer-aided dispatch and automatic vehicle location technology. Finally, this component includes the retirement of 13 buses, replacing them with state-of-the-art clean-fuel technology.
• Takoma/Langley Transit Center
  This bustling intersection is one of the busiest transit locations in the DC area, however bus stops are currently scattered far from each other at different locations around the intersection. The new transit center will consolidate all the bus stops at the intersection into one facility. This will eliminate the need for transferring passengers to cross wide and busy roads where there is an unfortunate history of vehicles colliding with pedestrians. This will also provide a permanent and visible transit amenity. Through new bus bays, pedestrian walkways, a full canopy, restrooms, lighting, and bus information, the transit center will ultimately provide a safe, attractive, comfortable and efficient facility for passengers and for bus transfer activities, and will also improve pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connections to bus services in an area that is largely low income and transit dependent.