WASHINGTON (March 3, 2021) — The American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) released its 2021 Score Card today, bumping America’s infrastructure score up to a C-, the first time it has graded outside of the D range in 20 years. The C range of scores indicates a “mediocre score with some elements exhibiting significant deficiencies in conditions and functionality.”
"While that is an incremental, small improvement, it still is not something to write home about. It's certainly not a grade that you'd be proud of,” said ASCE Executive Director Tom Smith.
Of the 17 major categories in the score card, rail earned the highest mark, a B, while transit scored the lowest with a D-; 11 of the 17 categories received D range grades. The ASCE often advocates for increased spending on infrastructure repair and maintenance, something that is receiving renewed focus under President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
"Just as cars demand tune-ups and roofs require incremental repairs, our infrastructure needs robust and sustainable funding to make continued needed improvements over time," the score card reports. "Putting off investment now will cost us and future generations down the line."
