Tomorrow, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will unveil its highly anticipated 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. This quadrennial assessment provides an in-depth evaluation of the nation's infrastructure, highlighting advancements and areas requiring attention.
The ASCE Report Card serves as a crucial tool for policymakers, industry professionals and the public, offering a clear snapshot of the current state of U.S. infrastructure. By assigning letter grades to various infrastructure categories, the report emphasizes the need for investment and strategic planning to address existing challenges.
Historically, these report cards have influenced legislative action; for instance, the 2021 edition coincided with the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest infrastructure investment in U.S. history.
The 2025 Report Card evaluates 18 distinct categories of infrastructure, each assessed using eight criteria to determine its grade. These categories span a wide range of essential services and systems, including drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, ports, public parks, rail, roads, schools, solid waste, stormwater, transit and wastewater.
Additional categories covered in the report include energy, inland waterways and public parks. Each category undergoes a rigorous analysis, considering factors such as current condition, funding, future needs, operations and maintenance, public safety, resilience, innovation, and capacity.
Developing the Report Card is an 18-month process involving civil engineers who collect and analyze data to ensure accuracy and relevance. The Committee on America's Infrastructure oversees this effort, ensuring that the assessments reflect the most current federal data and statistics.
Beyond serving as an evaluative tool, the Report Card acts as a catalyst for public discourse on infrastructure needs. It brings attention to critical issues before failures occur, fostering proactive measures. The upcoming release is expected to resonate across various platforms, from news outlets to social media, amplifying its reach and impact.
The 2025 Report Card not only assesses the current state of infrastructure but also sets the stage for future improvements. By identifying strengths and weaknesses, it guides investments and policies aimed at enhancing the nation's infrastructure to meet evolving demands.
Darren Olson, P.E., BC.WRE, M.ASCE, serves as the Chair of ASCE's Committee on America's Infrastructure, leading the development of the 2025 Report Card. In a recent statement, Olson emphasized the importance of proactive investment in resilient infrastructure.
"It’s a shame, because we’d rather proactively invest in resilient infrastructure and not have to have that next failure occur." He said.
To coincide with the release, ASCE will host a Solutions Summit from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday at the Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C.
Featured speakers include Rep. Sam Graves, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
For more information and to access the report upon release, visit ASCE's official website.
