The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of $1.5 billion in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) discretionary grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Grants are to be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.

Focus 81 applied for funding through this program to address system deficiencies within a specific section of the targeted Interstate 81 Corridor stretching from Exit 180 in Moosic Borough (Lackawanna County) to Exit 185 in the City of Scranton (Lackawanna County).