Click to download REPORT PDF
Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is released which depicts the condition and performance of American infrastructure in the familiar form of a school report card—assigning letter grades based on the physical condition and needed investments for improvement. Infrastructure supports nearly every aspect of life: Roads; Water Pipes; Airports; Railroads; and Inland Waterway Transports; Network of Transmission and Distribution Lines; Dams; Levees…
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need for national broadband infrastructure has become more apparent than ever during the last year.
ASCE unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The nation earned a ‘C-’, up from 2017’s cumulative GPA of ‘D+’—first time in ‘report card history’, since ASCE began issuing the report card in 1998, that the nation’s infrastructure has received a GPA outside of the D range.
The concept of a report card to grade the nation’s infrastructure originated in 1988 with the congressionally chartered National Council on Public Works Improvement report, Fragile Foundations: A Report on America’s Public Works. A decade later, when the federal government indicated they would not be updating the report, ASCE used the approach and methodology to publish its first Report Card on America’s Infrastructure in 1998.
1. Sectors 2. Grades: 1988-2021
Click on each individually to enlarge
With each new report, the methodology of the Report Card has been rigorously assessed so as to take into consideration all of the changing elements that affect America’s infrastructure.
Originally in 1988, the concept of a report card to grade the nation’s infrastructure, with the congressionally chartered National Council on Public Works Improvement report, Fragile Foundations: A Report on America’s Public Works:
• 1988 Fragile Foundations’ release: Nation’s infrastructure = “C”
A decade later in 1998, the federal government indicated they would not be updating the report, so ASCE used the approach and methodology to publish its first “ASCE REPORT CARD ON NATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE” (added sectors as time progressed):
• 1998 = D
• 2001 = D+ (12 infrastructure areas); C+ solid waste; D- schools
• 2003 = D+
• 2005 = D
• 2009 = D
• 2013 = D+
• 2017 = D+
Please see below for link to “Report Card History” for all reports.
• 2021 ASCE REPORT CARD:
—Nation earned a C-
—Highest grade = ‘B’ in rail
—Lowest grade = ‘D-’ transit systems
—45% of Americans lack reliable access to transit services
Since ASCE began issuing the Report Card in 1998, the grades have struggled to get out of the D’s. However, more recently, decision-makers at all levels of government have recognized the critical role our infrastructure plays in supporting our quality of life and economy. Voters and lawmakers alike have championed smart infrastructure policy and increased investment in our multimodal freight system, drinking water networks, and more. This downpayment on our infrastructure bill has contributed to modest but meaningful improvements.
The 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure reveals we’ve made some incremental progress toward restoring our nation’s infrastructure. The 2021 Report Card covers 17 categories of infrastructure pertinent to all Americans, including a new stormwater chapter, and a spotlight on broadband.
For the 1st time in 20 years,
our infrastructure is
out of the D range
Between 2017 and 2021, five category grades increased while only one—bridges—decreased. This, combined with state and local governments’ commitment to improving infrastructure, indicate that infrastructure investment in the United State is trending upwards. Much more work is needed to be done to improve the overall infrastructure network.
Many sectors, especially those with lower grades, have staggering maintenance backlogs. Implementation of asset management can be helpful for these categories to ensure maintenance needs are taken care of when necessary. With such large backlogs, developing a clear understanding of where available funds are most needed is essential for protecting lives and maintaining a productive economy.
The country’s total infrastructure needs over the next 10 years total nearly $6 trillion, but after considering various sources of committed funding, the gap to meet those needs is $2.59 trillion. If this is not addressed, America’s overdue infrastructure bill will cost each American household approximately $3,300 per year = $63 per week.
In order to close this gap, ASCE calls for strong federal, state, and local leadership and investment in infrastructure. Additionally, resilience must be a priority, as the ability to withstand or recover from extreme events is key to infrastructure survival.
After the unveiling of the report card, ASCE hosted the virtual Solutions Summit, which included spotlights on various infrastructure topics such as energy, dams, levees, transportation, water, inland waterways, and ports.
For more details, please go to the ASCE‘s 2021 Report Card PAGE: https://infrastructurereportcard.org/asce-2021-infrastructure-report-card-gives-u-s-c-grade/
For the ISCP article titled ‘ASCE 20-Yr. Research Report Warns Infrastructure Underinvestment at Release of 2021 “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure”’, adjacent to this article, please go to: https://www.concretepavements.org/2021/03/03/17738/
For the 2021 REPORT CARD PDF, please click on image at top, or go to: https://mcusercontent.com/752674d5111a09c74d85fe0e7/files/856ed3be-62cb-4142-8500-4466ce2ba2df/2021_IRC_Executive_Summary_smaller_file_sz.pdf
1988-2017 REPORT CARDS and HISTORY of the REPORT CARD: https://infrastructurereportcard.org/making-the-grade/report-card-history/