A recent report on the state of America’s infrastructure has assigned it a “C” grade, marking a slight improvement from previous assessments. This uptick is largely attributed to investments made under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
The study, conducted by the American Society of Civil Engineers, evaluated a range of infrastructure components, from roads and railways to dams and drinking water systems. It emphasizes the necessity for sustained or increased federal funding to prevent further degradation and escalating costs.
Darren Olson, who chaired the current report, stressed, “We have seen the investments start to pay off, but we still have a lot of work to do out there.” He explained that failing infrastructure, from poor road conditions that damage vehicles to power outages affecting daily life, has adverse effects on both individuals and the wider economy. Investing in infrastructure could potentially make the U.S. economy more efficient and competitive on a global scale.
Olson also highlighted the importance of making infrastructure resilient to extreme weather events linked to climate change. The U.S. faced 27 weather disasters last year, each costing at least $1 billion, the second-highest count since 1980.
Key investments include the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated $550 billion to infrastructure, although this is set to expire in 2026. Additionally, $30 billion from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act was earmarked for clean energy and climate-focused projects. Both acts have contributed to incremental improvements in some sectors, such as public parks, which saw their grade rise from a D-plus to a C-minus.
Despite these improvements, the nation’s overall infrastructure grade climbed only slightly from a C-minus in 2021. The cumulative investments fall short of the $9.1 trillion deemed necessary to adequately repair and maintain existing infrastructure. If current funding levels are preserved, a funding gap of $3.7 trillion would remain over the next ten years.
Drinking water, receiving a C-minus grade, particularly highlights ongoing challenges. The estimated cost to address needs in this sector alone is $625 billion over the next 20 years. Aging systems, coupled with new regulatory requirements to address issues like lead service lines and PFAS, exacerbate the problem.
Although the bipartisan infrastructure bill has facilitated critical projects, the gap between needs and resources has continued to grow over the last two decades, says Scott Berry from the US Water Alliance. The bill has also enabled upgrades to key components like inland waterways, improving their grade from a D-plus to a C-minus. These waterways are crucial for the movement of goods worth approximately $150 billion annually.
Mike Steenhoek, executive director at the Soy Transportation Coalition, points out that while projects receive funding in stages, the unpredictability leads to increased costs. He suggests that consistent funding could make projects more cost-effective.
Clifford Winston from the Brookings Institution highlights that more than just funding is needed; policy adjustments also play an essential role in enhancing infrastructure use and financial models. Techniques like congestion pricing can incentivize smarter usage of current resources, potentially reducing the necessity for expansive new projects.
Despite a significant $591 billion investment in roads since 2021, they still only achieved a D-plus rating. Rail and energy sectors saw downgraded ratings, with rail affected by incidents like the hazardous material train derailment in Ohio, slipping from a B to a B-minus. Energy, stressed by increasing demands from data centers and electric vehicles, received a D-plus grade.
Engineers argue that many infrastructure sectors have been neglected for so long that immediate solutions are necessary to avoid more severe and costly failures in the future. As part of ongoing efforts, a group of engineers is set to visit Washington to discuss the impact of funding and the importance of continued investment with bipartisan support. Olson remains optimistic that framing infrastructure improvements as both economic and cost-saving will garner widespread support.