American infrastructure gets an overall “C” grade — its highest ever — from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in its quadrennial assessment of the nation’s built environment, including highways, bridges, ports, and transit systems. In a news release covering today’s publication of the “2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure,” ASCE stated that “legislation passed by Congress since the 2021 Report Card sparked progress, but more work and investment is needed to overcome decades of underinvestment and adapt the country’s transportation networks, water systems, electric grid and broadband services to meet current and future demands.”
According to the society’s projections, a $3.7 trillion gap exists between planned infrastructure investments “and what must be done to have the nation’s infrastructure in good working order — an increase from the $2.59 trillion gap reported four years ago. The report underscores the essential need for lawmakers to maintain existing levels of federal infrastructure investment, and increase participation from state and local governments and the private sector, to reduce costs for American households and bolster economic growth.”
ASCE assigns individual grades to 18 categories of infrastructure. Bridges received a “C,” roads a “D+,” and public transit a “D.” A 28-page executive summary accompanies the full report card.
The New York Times reports, ASCE representatives told reporters the infrastructure investments made possible during the Biden administration are showing results, “with grades having improved since the last report, in 2021, for nearly half the 18 categories that the group tracks.” Much of that federal funding is now frozen pending review by the new administration, but ASCE members “expressed optimism” the money will start to reflow “because it benefited most Americans and enjoyed bipartisan support.”