The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card for the nation. The report shows modest improvement, with the nation’s overall infrastructure grade rising from a C- in 2021 to a C in 2025. This represents the first time since 1998 that no infrastructure category received a D- grade.
Despite historic federal investment from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provided over $591 billion for various infrastructure sectors, significant challenges remain. The ASCE estimates a $3.7 trillion funding gap over the next 10 years to bring America’s infrastructure into a state of good repair.
KEY SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS
BRIDGES: C (→ no change)
- 49.1% of bridges are in “fair” condition, 44.1% in “good” condition, and 6.8% in “poor” condition
- The percentage of bridges in poor condition has declined from 7.3% in 2020 to 6.8% in 2024
- The IIJA provided $27.5 billion for the Bridge Formula Program and $12.5 billion for the Bridge Investment Program
- Despite this funding, a $373 billion gap remains for bridge rehabilitation needs over the next decade
ROADS: D+ (↑ from D)
- 39% of major roads in the U.S. are in poor or mediocre condition, an improvement from 43% in 2020
- Deteriorated roads cost the average driver over $1,400 per year in vehicle operating costs and lost time
- Traffic fatalities remain high at 40,990 in 2023
- The roads sector faces a $684 billion funding gap over the next 10 years
PORTS: B (↑ from B-)
- Ports saw the highest grade of any infrastructure category
- U.S. ports support $2.89 trillion in GDP and 21.8 million jobs
- The IIJA invested $17 billion in ports and inland waterways
- The Port Infrastructure Development Program received $450 million annually over five years, nearly double the previous annual average
TRANSIT: D (↑ from D-)
- The IIJA provided $108 billion for transit, enabling deferred maintenance to be addressed
- A $152 billion funding gap remains over the next 10 years
- 42% of Americans report lacking access to bus, subway, or commuter bus service
RAIL: B- (↓ from B)
- Rail was one of only two categories to receive a downgrade
- Concerns about capacity, future needs, and safety contributed to the lower grade
- The IIJA provided robust funding for passenger rail, equivalent to the total federal funding for Amtrak to date
DRINKING WATER: C- (→ no change)
- The EPA determined that water infrastructure needs to stand at $625 billion over 20 years
- More than 9 million lead service lines still exist across the country
- The IIJA invested more than $30 billion in drinking water capital improvements
- Only about 30% of water utilities have fully implemented an asset management plan
STORMWATER: D (→ no change)
- The length of impaired rivers and streams increased from 424,000 miles in 2010 to over 703,000 miles in 2022
- More than 60% of stormwater utilities cite aging infrastructure as a significant concern
- The EPA’s 2022 Clean Watershed Needs Survey estimated a 20-year need of $115.3 billion for stormwater systems
- Average monthly stormwater fees increased from $5.34 in 2018 to $6.06 in 2023
LOOKING AHEAD
The 2025 Report Card shows that recent federal investments have positively impacted many infrastructure sectors. However, sustained investment is necessary to address the $3.7 trillion funding gap and prepare for challenges posed by climate change and aging systems.
Key recommendations include:
- Maintaining current IIJA funding levels when the law expires in 2026
- Developing better asset management practices
- Implementing the most up-to-date building codes and standards
- Prioritizing infrastructure resilience against extreme weather events
ASCE President Marsha Geldert-Murphey noted, “For the second consecutive report, Report Card grades show that U.S. infrastructure is trending in the right direction thanks to comprehensive support, innovative solutions, and bold leadership. Continued action will further improve these networks, unlocking the full potential of our nation’s economy and creating opportunities for all Americans.”
Rebuild SoCal Partnership will continue to advocate for critical infrastructure investment.
Source: American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card
