ASCE’s 2017 Infrastructure Report Card Gave America’s Infrastructure An Overall Grade of “D+”
Kristina Swallow, PE, President, American Society of Civil Engineers
(Reston, VA, Thursday, February 15, 2018) – The American Society of Civil Engineers has been warning of the safety and economic implications of our deteriorating infrastructure for the past 20 years.
The Infrastructure Report Card, released by ASCE, has yet to give an overall grade higher than a ‘D+’ for our nation’s roads, bridges, drinking water, pipes, electricity and more.
President Trump campaigned on the promise to improve our aging infrastructure, and a year into his administration released a plan to make good on that promise by releasing a plan on Monday, Feb. 12. Now it’s up to Congress to take up the issue and put together a package that can garner the votes to become law.
- ASCE’s 2017 Infrastructure Report Card grades and solutions – The Report Card gave an overall grade of “D+” in 2017 across 16 categories. To raise the grades ASCE recommends increased investment, leadership and planning, and preparation for the future.
- Outdated infrastructure comes at a price. ASCE estimates every American family loses $3,400 a year in disposable income. Furthermore, our larger economy loses, $7 trillion business sales and $3.9 trillion in GDP.
- ASCE’s reaction to Trump’s proposed infrastructure plan and the next steps Congress should take to pass an infrastructure bill.
- State Report Card grades and statistics where available. Texas, New Jersey and Louisiana are just a few of the recently released State Report Cards. For a full list, please visit https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-by-state/.