Survey Gives Nation's Infrastructure a D+.

• Position: Brief Article

From its roads to its dams and schools, America's public works are crumbling and putting lives at risk, according to a study from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The group gave the nation's public works a "D+" on average, and estimated it would cost $1.3 trillion over five years to fix America's infrastructure. Public schools scored lowest, a D-, while Ds were handed out to infrastructure for aviation, drinking water, wastewater, and dams. Roads, energy, hazardous waste, and navigable waterways also received Ds. Even though funding has increased for some areas like schools and roads, the society argued, it hasn't kept pace with a faster growth in population. The society based its grades on the condition and performance of each type of infrastructure, how its capacity rated against what the society believes is needed and how funding levels rated against estimated needs. The highest grade, a C+, went to solid waste. Bridges got a C, and transit a C-. Particula r survey areas are listed below.

Transportation. One-third of the nation's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, costing drivers an estimated $5.8 billion a year. Road conditions contribute to as many as 13,800 highway fatalities annually. Twenty-seven percent of urban freeways--which account for 61 percent of all miles driven--are congested. In 1998, 29 percent of the nation's bridges were structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Transit ridership has increased 15 percent since 1995--faster than airline or highway transportation. Airport capacity has increased only 1 percent in the past 10 years, while air traffic has increased 37 percent during that time. Airport congestion delays flights and jeopardizes safety--there were 429 runway near misses reported in 2000.

Education. Due to either aging or outdated facilities, or severe overcrowding, 75 percent of the...