Enhancements in U.S. infrastructure over the past 4 years, although noticeable, have been relatively modest.
America's infrastructure might've seen some minor improvements over the last four years, but it's still far from perfect. That's the gist of the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) latest report, released this week.
Grading the nation on 18 different categories - from bridges to broadband - the ASCE gave us a C overall. That's up from a C- in 2021 and a consistent string of D-range grades since they started testing way back in 1998.
The ASCE, a 172-year-old group based in Reston, Virginia, dug deep into issues like aviation, drinking water, public parks, and more. The highest grade, a B, went to ports, while the lowest was a D for stormwater utilities and public transit. An A signifies facilities meet modern standards for functionality, while an F means they're in an unacceptable condition, with widespread, advanced signs of deterioration.
The ASCE credits some of this year's improvement to the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, which allocated $550 billion over five years to various systems like bridges, roads, and broadband. But the report highlights a substantial investment gap that we're still grappling with.
"We've made some progress, but there's still a long way to go," Darren Olson, ASCE's committee chair for the 2025 report, said in a press briefing. He added that it's crucial to keep the momentum going. Poor infrastructure costs American households an estimated $2,700 a year, while if current infrastructure funding continues, it could save us around $700.
Broadband was added to the 2025 report, along with eight other categories that saw improvements over the last four years. However, nine categories received D-range grades, down from 11 in 2021, but still well below what's needed.
Two categories even saw their grades dip. Energy and rail, which received a D+ and B- respectively, were downgraded due to concerns related to capacity, future needs, and safety. The ASCE pointed out energy concerns due to increased interest in electric vehicles and the influx of data centers, many of which are used for artificial intelligence, will demand 35 gigawatts by 2030.
Passenger rail, such as Amtrak, will also need more funding to expand and meet safety requirements as ridership increases. In total, an estimated $9.1 trillion would be needed to ensure all categories reach a state of good repair. That's according to the ASCE, which noted in a 2024 report that only $5.4 trillion in public and private investments will be made through 2033 if recent congressional funding levels continue, leaving a $3.7 trillion gap.
Roads, energy, and schools would need the most funding, according to the ASCE's report. "This investment is necessary to continue to strengthen our nation," said ASCE President Feniosky Peña-Mora. "Delaying investment in our infrastructure is delaying our well-being."
[1] Asce.org - ASCE 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure[2] Infrastructure.gov - State Infrastructure Reports[3] Transportation.gov - Bridge Inventory Database
Enrichment Data:- The American Society of Civil Engineers' 2025 Report Card highlights a significant investment gap in American infrastructure. According to the report, there is a $3.7 trillion gap between current planned investments and the amount needed to bring U.S. infrastructure into a state of good repair [1]. This gap has increased from $2.59 trillion reported in the 2021 assessment [1].- Several categories require substantial funding: - Roads: There is a $684 billion funding gap over the next decade [2]. - Bridges: Despite receiving $40 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bridge rehabilitation needs are estimated at $191 billion [2]. - Stormwater and Transit: These categories, both graded as D, require improved investment to address aging infrastructure and service deficiencies [1][3]. - Energy and Rail: These categories received lower grades, indicating a need for increased investment to address capacity, future needs, and safety concerns [3].- Maintaining and enhancing infrastructure through sustained investments from federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sectors, is crucial for improving these conditions and addressing the investment gap [1][3].
- The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has added broadband to their 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, acknowledging it as one of the categories that has seen improvements over the last four years in business infrastructure.
- Despite the passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, the ASCE's latest report reveals a substantial investment gap in America's infrastructure, with an estimated $3.7 trillion needed to ensure all categories reach a state of good repair, particularly in sectors like roads, energy, and schools.
- The ASCE's 2025 Report Card highlights deterioration in certain areas, such as energy and rail, which have seen a decrease in grades due to concerns regarding capacity, future needs, and safety. This adds to the general need for added investments in infrastructure to address these issues and improve the country's overall infrastructure grade.
