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Infrastructure Continues To Receive Poor Marks

Editor's Commentary

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By Becky Schultz
Editor

When a child receives a near-failing grade on a report card, it tends to make most of us sit up and take notice. Yet, poor grades seem to have produced little reaction' or results'when it comes to our national infrastructure.

In 2001, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) assigned a cumulative grade of D+ for the condition of the country's roads, bridges, drinking water systems and other public works. Rather than spark improvements, the 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure shows the overall grade has dropped to a D, with some areas actually sliding toward failing grades.

Despite minor improvements in aviation and schools, overall conditions remain the same for bridges, dams and solid waste, and have worsened for roads, drinking water, transit, wastewater, hazardous waste and navigable waterways. Following are some of the most relevant findings:

Aviation improved from a D to a D+. Yet, air travel growth is projected at 4.3% annually through 2015. This represents significant hurdles for airports struggling to maintain and/or grow their facilities to keep up with demand.

Although the grade for schools rose from a D-to a D, improvements have barely scratched the surface. A 1999 Federal assessment showed $127 billion was needed to bring facilities to good condition; other sources state the need at as high as $268 billion.

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