Yesterday I spoke with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and requested a change in the City of Memphis' recent Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IV grant that would redirect approximately $5.6 million to improvements in downtown Memphis. The Secretary agreed to the proposed scope change which includes funding to add lighting and streetscape improvements; to make sidewalks safer and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; to provide drainage upgrades to prevent flooding and standing water on Main Street; and to create additional bike and pedestrian connections with the trolley, bus routes, the train station and landmarks like the Civil Rights Museum.