Poll: Dems, GOP agree infrastructure worsening

Nearly half of registered voters think American infrastructure has deteriorated over the last five years, according to a new poll.

Republicans and Democrats are almost equally concerned about the issue in the Association of Equipment Manufacturers survey released Tuesday.

{mosads}Forty-one percent of Democrats said infrastructure has declined over the last five years, while 53 percent of Republicans share that view.

Between 80 percent and 90 percent of those sampled said roads, bridges and energy grids require “some or extreme need of repairs.”

More than 70 percent, meanwhile, believed that federal, state and local governments should perform additional work to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure.

Pollsters found roads are “top-of-mind” to all registered voters, regardless of their political affiliation. 

They also discovered voters feel bridges, railways, dams and water pipelines require government attention.

Tuesday’s results additionally show a bipartisan majority believes more infrastructure spending would positively boost the economy.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers sampled 1,975 registered voters from June 17-20. It has a 2 percent margin of error.

Reuters reported Tuesday a May report from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says the U.S. will fall $1.44 trillion short of what it requires for infrastructure spending through the next decade.

The ASCE also estimated that the U.S. has funded only about $1.88 trillion out of a likely $3.32 trillion needed for keeping the nation’s bridges, highways, ports, trains and electric and water facilities up to date.