The State of America’s Infrastructure

May 13, 2019 - Contractors CLDC LMCC LECET

Our infrastructure needs—from roads and bridges to water and energy—are vast and growing. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the total investment needed through 2025 is $4.59 trillion.

However, if lawmakers act now we can make this investment and create millions of good jobs building a lasting legacy for future generations.

BRIDGES
The problems facing America’s bridges are going unaddressed. Action and resources are needed now to prevent the cost and danger from escalating.

  • In 2016, 9.1% of bridges were structurally deficient and nearly 14% were functionally obsolete.
  • Each day, motorists make 188 million trips on a structurally deficient bridge.
  • The current repair backlog for bridges requires $123 billion.

ROADS
Our nation’s roads are deteriorating as investment falls billions short.

  • Two of five urban interstate miles are congested. 
  • One in five miles of pavement is in poor condition.
  • According to a 2014 study, poor roads cost Americans $160 billion in lost time and wasted gas while contributing to traffic fatalities. 

WATER
Across the U.S. our water systems—from sewage overflows and water main breaks to deteriorating dams and levees—are failing because of chronic under-investment.

  • There are about 240,000 water main breaks a year, resulting in a waste of 2 trillion gallons of drinking water.
  • Utilities are not able to keep up with needed pipe replacements. At the current rate of .5% per year, it will take 200 years to replace needed pipes—well past the useful life of these pipes.
  • 2,170 dams are deficient and would threaten lives and property if they were to fail.

ENERGY
Our power grid is at full capacity. As demand grows, more and longer outages are likely.

  • The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) awarded U.S. energy infrastructure a D+ and found that $177 billion is needed between now and 2025 to upgrade the grid.
  • Aging infrastructure and lack of resiliency resulted in 3,571 electricity outages in 2015.
  • Expansion of energy infrastructure is also being held up by lengthy reviews and permitting processes that sometimes drag on for years.  

Sources: American Society of Civil Engineers. 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. www.infrastructurereportcard.org