A federal program that provides credit assistance for qualified surface transportation projects (for example, highways and railroads) of regional and national significance. TIFIA was created to provide financing to state and local governments having difficulty obtaining financing at reasonable rates for their large-scale transportation projects because of the uncertainty and variability in their revenue streams. Many of these projects rely on tolls from the end users, and their use and revenue stream are often difficult to predict. This program is designed to fill market gaps and leverage substantial private co-investment by providing supplemental and subordinate capital. Each dollar of federal funds can provide up to $10 in credit assistance and support up to $30 in transportation infrastructure investment.

TIFIA credit assistance is often available on more advantageous terms than in the credit or capital markets, making it possible to obtain financing for needed projects when it might not otherwise be possible.

The TIFIA credit program offers three distinct types of financial assistance designed to address the varying requirements of projects throughout their life cycles:

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, transit agencies, railroad companies, special authorities, special districts, and private entities.

For more information on financing public infrastructure projects in the US, see: