Thread: US infrastructure report card: D+

US infrastructure report card: D+

03/09/17 09:30 AM EST



U.S. infrastructure received an overall grade of D+ in the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, largely uncharged since the previous report in 2013.

The findings suggest that only incremental progress has been made in revitalizing the nation’s infrastructure over the past four years. The D rating is considered “poor” and “at risk,” just one step above failing and unfit for purpose.

The report, released Thursday, comes at a time when President Trump has promised to make the issue a chief priority for his administration. He has called on Congress to move a $1 trillion public-private infrastructure package after a proposal comes together later this year.

"Our infrastructure bill is overdue and our inaction is costing American's $3400 per year in lost disposal income,” said Greg DiLoreto, chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Committee on America’s Infrastructure, which prepared the report.

Although Trump has promised $1 trillion in infrastructure investment over 10 years, the ASCE estimates that $4.59 trillion is needed by 2025 to bring infrastructure into a state of good repair. If current spending levels continue, the country will fall short of that figure by $2 trillion.

The report card graded the country on 16 different categories. The U.S. received its highest marks for rail, earning a B, and its lowest rating for transit, earning a D-.

Aviation, dams, drinking water and roads all received D grades. Bridges, ports and solid waste got a C+.

“While our nation’s infrastructure problems are significant, they are solvable,” said ASCE President Norma Jean Mattei. “We need our elected leaders — those who pledged to rebuild our infrastructure while on the campaign trail — to follow through on those promises with investment and innovative solutions that will ensure our infrastructure is built for the future.”

http://thehill.com/policy/transporta...on-report-card

California Infrastructure Overview

While the nation’s infrastructure earned a “D+” in the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, California faces infrastructure challenges of its own. For example, driving on roads in need of repair in California costs each driver $844 per year, and 5.5% of bridges are rated structurally deficient. Drinking water needs in California are an estimated $44.5 billion, and wastewater needs total $26.2 billion. 678 dams are considered to be high-hazard potential. The state’s schools have an estimated capital expenditure gap of $3.2 billion. This deteriorating infrastructure impedes California’s ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace. Success in a 21st century economy requires serious, sustained leadership on infrastructure investment at all levels of government. Delaying these investments only escalates the cost and risks of an aging infrastructure system, an option that the country, California, and families can no longer afford.

Key Facts about California's Infrastructure

• 190 public-use airports
• 1,388 of the 25,431 bridges are structurally deficient
  
• $25,783,900 spent on state bridge capital projects in 2013
  
• 68% of the state regulated dams have an Emergency Action Plan
• 678 high hazard dams
• $44.5 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years
• 766.1 Trillion BTU of renewable energy every year, ranking it 2nd
• 98 sites on the National Priorities List
• 290 miles of inland waterways, ranking it 26th
• 9,560 miles of levees
• 230.2 million short tons of cargo in 2012, ranking it 3rd nationally
• $4.85 billion of unmet needs for its parks system
• 195,834 miles of Public Roads, with 50% in poor condition
• $844 per motorist per year in costs from driving on roads in need of repair
• 5,295 miles of freight railroads across the state, ranking 3rd nationally
• $3.2 billion gap in in estimated school capital expenditures
• 1,435,298,779 annual unlinked passenger trips via transit systems including bus, transit, and commuter trains
• $26.2 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years

http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-by-state/

California roads in my area are awful due to all the rain. Have to watch for potholes almost constantly. Know of one road in particular where I weave around like a drunk but I'm just trying to avoid the darn things.

Originally Posted by Jean

California roads in my area are awful due to all the rain. Have to watch for potholes almost constantly. Know of one road in particular where I weave around like a drunk but I'm just trying to avoid the darn things.

The roads are terrible in my area also. The freeways are awful too with filled in patches of quick repairs, stones flying all over the place damaging your paint

Cut ALL foreign aid. Pay for our infrastructure, update our water and electric systems, cyber-security and rebuild OUR country, with OUR money and put people to work.

More people working...less on welfare and food stamps. Paying taxes, buying goods and will be on employer healthcare plans!!! That will help solve a lot of our healthcare costs. Also, get the ILLEGALS off our healthcare and out of our hospitals! No anchor baby, no surgery, no nothing. Go home!

Get the illegals out of here including the DACA liars.

I don't know about all infrastructure, but you barely go 30 miles in Texas without running into road construction.

Also, I don't know that all this is necessary and that is it being done by the best contractors or is being 'brother-in-lawed'.

Another thing most of the workers are illegals.

Along with the monies should be the stipulation that the work should be done by Americans only. No contractor who hires illegals should get a contract, or one who sub-contracts to an illegal employer.

In other words, no illegals works on any government project - period - end of discussion. No loopholes, no way around it.

All the work should be necessary and no some set aside so a congressman can pay off his/her contributors. It needs to be necessary.

Trump has promised big spending on infrastructure. His budget cuts it

CNN

- ‎1 hour ago‎

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump is proposing to cut or eliminate several key federal infrastructure programs despite repeated vows to increase spending on roads, utilities and other vital facilities...

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Trump has promised big spending on infrastructure. His budget cuts it

CNN

- ‎1 hour ago‎

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump is proposing to cut or eliminate several key federal infrastructure programs despite repeated vows to increase spending on roads, utilities and other vital facilities...

I do not trust the states to use infrastructure money on infrastructure.

They receive the funding and use it to cover other short-falls, especially the California!

I would never give it all to them, I'd make it 51/49 partnerships, with federal rules and supervision.

Yes...I like the idea of a "partnership". Dollar for dollar matching.

100% funds used should be approved by Trump and prioritized by Trump.