CONCORD — Downtown will be the beneficiary of a $4.71 million federal grant designed to upgrade traffic signals, sidewalks and traffic flows U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., announced Tuesday.

The city won the competitive grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.

“By improving the downtown infrastructure, this grant will provide a tremendous boost for Main Street and the regional economy,” Shaheen said.

The program was instituted under the economic stimulus program and a similar version of TIGER was continued in 2011, according to the DOT website.

“We owe great thanks to Senator Shaheen, the New Hampshire delegation and Secretary (Ray) LaHood for their support,” said Steve Duprey, president of Foxfire Management Company, in remarks distributed by Shaheen’s office.

He said the grant has the potential to make the greatest impact in Concord in 30 years. It will help all Main Street merchants, he said.

The street will be more attractive, safer, easier to drive and more accessible for the handicapped, Duprey said.

The upgrades will take place in a 12-block section of Main Street.