Flossi Says: “Fix It!”

The state of U.S. infrastructure is widely considered to be in need of significant improvement. Here's an overview of the current state, challenges, and progress being made:

 1. Grading by Experts

   - The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) publishes an Infrastructure Report Card every four years. In 2021, the overall grade for U.S. infrastructure was a C-. This reflects ageing systems, underfunding, and a backlog of necessary repairs and modernisation efforts across transportation, energy, and water sectors.

 2. Key Infrastructure Areas:

- Roads: The ASCE gave U.S. roads a D grade, citing over 40% of the system in poor or mediocre condition. There is an ongoing need for repairs, updates, and investment in modern technology.

- Bridges: About 42% of all bridges in the U.S. are over 50 years old, and over 46,000 bridges are classified as structurally deficient. Despite improvements, it remains an area of concern.

- Public Transit: The public transit system received a D-, reflecting inadequate funding, old vehicles, and outdated infrastructure in many regions. Investment in modernising rail and bus systems is necessary to meet growing demand.

- Airports: U.S. airports, graded D+, struggle to handle increasing passenger volumes with outdated terminals and systems. Modern technology, improved capacity, and more efficient operations are critical.

- Drinking Water and Wastewater: U.S. water infrastructure is aging, with many over a century old pipes. Water systems received a C- due to frequent leaks, contamination risks, and the need for better treatment facilities. Wastewater systems also need substantial investment.

- Energy: The U.S. energy grid, rated C-, is ageing and vulnerable to power outages, cybersecurity threats, and growing demands. Modernisation to accommodate renewable energy sources and improve resiliency is a priority.

 3. Challenges:

   - Underinvestment: The U.S. has underfunded its infrastructure for decades, leading to a backlog of projects. The ASCE estimates that the U.S. needs to spend around $2.6 trillion by 2029 to address infrastructure issues.

   Climate Change: Climate-related events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are increasingly straining infrastructure and requiring more robust and resilient systems.

   - Aging Systems: Many infrastructure systems were built in the mid-20th century and are now reaching the end of their lifespan.

 4. Recent Progress:

   - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law, providing $1.2 trillion in funding over the next decade. This is one of the largest infrastructure investments in U.S. history, with money allocated to improving roads, bridges, public transit, broadband internet, clean energy, and water systems.

   - Focus on Sustainability: There is a growing emphasis on creating infrastructure that is more sustainable and resilient to climate change, with investments in clean energy, electric vehicle charging networks, and public transportation upgrades.

 Conclusion:

While significant strides are being made, the U.S. infrastructure remains in decline in many areas, especially transportation, energy, and water systems. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expected to help improve these areas, but the U.S. still faces a long road to modernisation and sustainability.