The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released the 2025 edition of its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, offering a snapshot of the condition and performance of the nation’s vital systems. The Report Card assesses 18 individual categories, such as roads, bridges, water systems, and transit, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. This year’s overall infrastructure grade improved modestly from a C- in 2021 to a C, reflecting the positive impact of recent federal investments. Nearly half of the evaluated sectors showed grade improvements, signaling momentum in addressing longstanding infrastructure deficiencies.
The Report Card notes that ports earned the highest grade, a B, while stormwater and transit infrastructure received the lowest, both rated at a D. For the first time since the Report Card’s inception in 1998, no category was graded D-, a sign that targeted investments have helped elevate previously underperforming sectors. Broadband made its debut as a graded category in 2025, earning a C+ and marking its growing significance in modern infrastructure. However, energy and rail experienced grade declines due to concerns over capacity and safety, underscoring the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation.
Despite improvements, the Report Card stresses that many infrastructure systems remain underfunded and outdated. Nine categories are still in the D range, and aging assets face growing risks from climate change and extreme weather. The Report Card highlights how increasing vulnerabilities—from intensified floods to more destructive wildfires—demand that resilience be a central feature in infrastructure planning. Communities that adopt up-to-date codes and design standards can mitigate long-term costs and strengthen their ability to withstand future disasters.
The ASCE emphasizes that progress requires sustained and coordinated investment from all levels of government and the private sector. Recent legislation, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), has begun to close the investment gap, but more work lies ahead. The Report Card also calls for better access to data on infrastructure performance, especially in sectors like broadband, energy, and levees, where public information remains limited. Reliable and transparent data is critical to managing assets, setting priorities, and ensuring that public resources are used effectively.
Read the report here: https://infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Full-Report-2025-Natl-IRC-WEB.pdf