Waterways Receive D- on ASCE Infrastructure Report Card

Washington D.C. January 28 2009. The U.S. inland waterways were given a grade of D- by the American Society of Civil Engineers in their 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

Announced three months early in order to provide input to the Congressional debate on a hefty infrastructure stimulus bill the report card awarded an overall grade of D to the Nation’s infrastructure with individual grades given in 15 categories.

New this year was a grade for levees which received a D-.

Decades of underfunding and inattention have jeopardized the ability of our nation’s infrastructure to support our economy and facilitate our way of life and a five-year investment of $2.2 trillion is needed from all levels of government and the private sector according to an ASCE press release. Since ASCE’s last assessment in 2005 there has been little change in the condition of the nation’s roads bridges drinking water systems and other public works and the cost of improvement has increased by more than half a trillion dollars.

“Crumbling infrastructure has a direct impact on our personal and economic health and the nation’s infrastructure crisis is endangering our future prosperity” said ASCE president D. Wayne Klotz P.E. F.ASCE speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club.. “Our leaders are looking for solutions to the nation’s current economic crisis. Not only could investment in these critical foundations have a positive impact but if done responsibly it would also provide tangible benefits to the American people such as reduced traffic congestion improved air quality clean and abundant water supplies and protection against natural hazards.”

REPORT CARD
Aviation – D
Bridges – D
Dams – D
Drinking Water – D-
Energy – D+
Hazardous Waste – D
Inland Waterways – D-
Levees – D-
Public Parks & Recreation – C-
Rail – C-
Roads – D-
Schools – D
Solid Waste – C+
Transit – D
Wastewater – D-