America's Infrastructure Graded a D+

Every 4 years, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) releases a Report Card for America’s Infrastructure that depicts the condition and performance of U.S. infrastructure in a simple school report card format by assigning letter grades to each of 16 categories. The 2013 Report Card provides a comprehensive assessment of current infrastructure conditions and needs along with recommendations for improvement.


This time, America’s cumulative infrastructure grade rose slightly to a D+ from the 2009 Report Card's D. Grades range from a high of B- for solid waste to a low of D- for inland waterways and levees. Solid waste, drinking water, wastewater, roads, and bridges all saw incremental improvements, and rail jumped from a C- to a C+. Although no category grades declined in 2013, with D = Poor and C = Mediocre, the overall D+ grade is once again alarming, and indicates significant improvements are needed.

For additional information, visit the Report Card's website, including the Executive Summary, or watch the 4-minute summary video.