In its 2019 Infrastructure Report Card announced last week, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the state of California an overall grade of C-, noting improvements, but also finding a lot of work left to be done.
The report emphasized the significant investments needed to counter decades of underinvestment in the state’s infrastructure. They are vulnerable to climate change, and the report determined that approximately $10.7 billion will be needed over the next 10 years alone to protect themselves. Age is beginning to take its toll, even if structures — like the state’s ports — meet its current needs.
At the same time, the report did note the state’s efforts to close gaps in investment. In 2017, California approved $5.4 billion for use on roads, bridges and other transit systems. Those have helped with current congestion and meeting seismic demands, but the longer term dangers remain. To help, the ASCE wants to see localities encouraged to raise revenue for infrastructure networks. They also seek smart plans to identify funding needs and greater cooperation between public and private entities, at all levels, to address the issue.
On the whole, however, the state is still a step above the national grade rendered two years ago. The United States was given a D+ for its overall infrastructure at that time.