Thanks to federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, there has been a notable improvement in the condition of America’s infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reports that the country’s infrastructure grade has risen from a “C-” to a “C” in their 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

Released on Tuesday, the report highlights improvements in eight out of the 18 infrastructure categories evaluated, many of which had been stuck at “D-” or “D” for years. According to the ASCE, these gains are primarily driven by the funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) under the Biden administration, in collaboration with state and local governments, as well as the private sector. However, the report notes that the full effects of this funding will take years to fully materialize.

Declines in Energy and Rail Infrastructure

While the report shows many positive developments, two categories experienced a downgrade: energy and rail. These sectors saw a reduction in their grades due to concerns over capacity, future demands, and safety issues. Broadband infrastructure was introduced as a new category in the 2025 report, receiving a “C+” grade. Remarkably, for the first time since 1998, no categories received a “D-” grade.

Despite these improvements, a “C” grade still indicates that the nation’s infrastructure is in a state of general deterioration and requires substantial attention. Nine categories remain in the “D” range, signaling that many systems are nearing the end of their service life and are falling below standard. This situation highlights a "clear sign that more needs to be done to improve the health of America’s built environment," the report emphasizes.

The Critical Role of Funding

Deferred maintenance and chronic underinvestment in U.S. infrastructure have been long-standing issues. Many infrastructure networks have been neglected at the federal level for decades, contributing to an ever-growing backlog of maintenance projects, according to ASCE’s findings. Additionally, increasingly severe weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change, are placing additional strain on the nation’s infrastructure systems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a $1.2 trillion investment passed in 2021, represents the country’s largest-ever infrastructure funding effort, with $550 billion earmarked for new spending. Additionally, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act introduced $500 billion in new spending and tax incentives aimed at supporting clean energy and manufacturing. Although inflation has somewhat reduced the purchasing power of these funds, the ASCE report confirms that these federal investments have already started to show positive effects.

However, the ASCE warns that sustained and consistent investment is essential to ensure that infrastructure planning continues to develop and that larger projects can be successfully executed. The country is facing a $3.6 trillion investment gap over the next decade, and the report stresses that continued federal support is crucial for addressing this challenge.

Bipartisan Commitment to Infrastructure Investment

The importance of maintaining federal investment in infrastructure was underscored by Kristina Swallow, a professional engineer and former ASCE president, during a media call on Monday. Swallow emphasized that infrastructure is "100% a bipartisan interest area, focus area, and commitment." She added that “we really do need to maintain the investment levels that we’ve seen at the federal level, but also it requires state, local, and private industry investment.” Swallow also noted that the investment levels under the previous administration had started to make significant progress in improving infrastructure, and she looks forward to continuing that momentum under the current administration.

The Need for Resilient Infrastructure in the Face of Extreme Weather

ASCE’s report also highlighted the growing vulnerability of infrastructure systems to extreme weather events, which are increasingly posing significant risks to public safety and the economy. Climate-related challenges are now affecting regions that were once considered less prone to such events, such as Asheville, North Carolina.

In 2024 alone, 27 extreme weather events caused $182.7 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The number of billion-dollar disasters has been steadily rising since the 1980s, as reported by NOAA.

Given these challenges, the need to build infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather has never been more urgent. Darren Olson, a professional engineer and member of ASCE’s Committee on America’s Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of resilience during the media call, pointing out that infrastructure systems must be built to endure the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Olson cited the example of Hurricane Helene, which demonstrated the limitations of some of the country’s infrastructure. He stressed that “there’s a long-term cost benefit in building that infrastructure once, building it up to the most resilient codes and standards, so that it’s able to withstand things like we’re seeing with the more frequent and more intense storm events.”

The ASCE also calls for the adoption of updated building codes and standards, such as the newly released Flood Resistant Design and Construction guidance. These measures are intended to better equip communities to handle disasters and ensure efficient deployment of public resources.

A Long Road Ahead

While the improvements in the infrastructure report are a step in the right direction, much work remains to be done. The report underscores the need for continued, sustained investment across all levels of government and the private sector. The challenges of extreme weather and the pressing need for climate-resilient infrastructure require a collaborative, long-term approach to ensure the future health and safety of America’s infrastructure systems.

Originally reported by Julie Strupp in Construction Dive.