Civil engineers give US infrastructure a C-minus

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is giving U.S. infrastructure a C-minus in its 2021 “Infrastructure Report Card” released on Wednesday.

Despite the less-than-stellar grade, the ASCE notes that it is the highest in more than 20 years. U.S. infrastructure has consistently received D’s since the group began giving grades in 1988. That year, it gave infrastructure in the nation a C. 

“This is good news and an indication we’re headed in the right direction, but a lot of work remains,” the ASCE report reads.

The report focused on three trends, saying maintenance deficits continue to be an issue, state and local governments have made positive progress in funding local infrastructure, and data on local infrastructure continues to be scarce or unreliable.

“The elected officials and members of the public who have improved infrastructure policy and supported additional funding are applauded. We’re seeing the benefits of this action in drinking water, inland waterways, and airports. The private sector has invested in the electric grid, freight rail, and more,” the report continues.

“However, significant challenges lie ahead. Importantly, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on infrastructure revenue streams threaten to derail the modest progress we’ve made over the past four years.”

Among the areas scoring the lowest grades were schools, public parks, roads, transit and dams, all receiving D’s. Rails and ports scored the highest, both receiving B’s.

The organization warns in its report that underinvestment in infrastructure could cost the U.S. $10 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP), 3 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in exports by the year 2039. It recommends raising infrastructure investment from 2.5 percent of the U.S. GDP to 3.5 percent by the year 2025 in order to close the $2.6 trillion investment gap that has emerged.

“To improve our quality of life and strengthen our international competitiveness, we need a strategic and holistic plan to renew, modernize, and invest in our infrastructure,” the group writes. “ASCE urges bold leadership and action, sustained investment, and a focus on resilience to raise the national infrastructure grade over the next four years, so that every American family, community, and business can thrive.”