However, it warned that “reducing federal and state investment levels, or delaying that support, will escalate the costs and risks of an aging infrastructure system, a scenario American families and businesses cannot afford.”

The ACCE listed some specific concerns. None of the 18 categories covered earned an A, which is fit for the future. Only two – ports and rails– earned Bs, meaning they are in good to excellent condition, though some elements show deficiencies. Mediocre requires attention grades of C+, which were awarded to broadband and solid waste; C went to bridges and hazardous waste; and C- to drinking water, inland waterways, and public parks. The lowest grade, D+, meaning poor or at risk, was assigned to aviation, dams, energy, levees, roads, schools, and wastewater, while Ds went to stormwater and transit. And these scores were recorded after almost half of the 18 categories showed improvement.

Two categories – energy (D+) and rail (B-) – suffered downgrades due to capacity, future needs, and safety concerns. The nine categories in the D range were viewed as “a clear sign that more needs to be done to improve the health of America’s built environment.”

The report cited three trends that made its call to action even more urgent. Aging infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather events, which are becoming more dangerous; the long time it takes to implement projects because of study and design requirements; and the fact that necessary data is often unreliable or unavailable.

In the meantime, it said demands on infrastructure, apart from maintenance, have intensified due to growth, unpredictable events, and new technologies that require new plans and project design. “These raised stakes require the federal government to continue prioritizing infrastructure investments,” the report stated.

It stressed the need to focus on best resilience practices over a project’s entire life cycle, including forward-thinking policies and innovations. “In 2024, a total of 27 extreme weather events caused 568 deaths and over $182 billion in damages. In addition to life and property losses, disasters strike assets across the infrastructure network.”

The report also emphasized the wide gap between the total costs of the upgrades needed and the actual investment made. It is estimated that $9.1 trillion is required for all items in the 18 categories studied to reach a good state of repair. If Congress approves current funding levels and with private investment from 2024 through 2033, $5.4 trillion would be available, leaving a gap of $3.7 trillion between the actual amount needed and the amount on tap. And if Congress reduces spending levels, the gap would be even wider.

“In that snapback scenario, ASCE estimates meaningful economic harm: $5 trillion lost in gross economic output over 20 years from 2024 to 2043, and a reduction of $244 billion in U.S. exports in those same years," it said, while adding cuts would result in $1.9 trillion in lost disposable income for American families.

The report suggested combining financing options like tax-exempt municipal bonds to leverage public dollars and a significant role for private equity and all levels of government.

The ASCE noted that the IIJA expires in 2026. However, it did not address the fact that on the day of his inauguration, January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order that directed an immediate pause on funding allocated to infrastructure projects under the IIJA and IRA during a 90-day review process. A client alert issued by the law firm Crowell & Moring LLP noted that the order could potentially halt billions of dollars in obligated funding for infrastructure projects, including some already under construction.