The Utah Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers recently released its inaugural Infrastructure Report Card for the state, giving a GPA of “C+.” The report assessed 10 categories, concluding that Utah’s infrastructure will require an investment of more than $60 billion over the next 20 years. The state’s transportation grades were high, as bridges, roads and transit each earned the grade of “B+.” However, the transportation network still needs an increased investment in preparation for the state’s estimated population growth. In contrast, the state’s lowest grades are for levees, a “D-” and Canals, a “D+.” At the release event, (Salt Lake Tribune, KSL, Deseret News and more), ASCE was joined by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Wasatch Front Regional Council, and Envision Utah calling for fulfilling the plan for the future of Utah. ASCE supports passing a strong funding package for Utah’s transportation future.
The Iowa Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released its first state Report Card on Tuesday at the State Capitol, giving the state’s infrastructure the overall grade of a “C-.” With one in five bridges in the state rated structurally deficient, Iowa has the third-highest percentage in the nation, graded at a “D+.” Roads also received a low mark of “C-.” The same day as the grades’ release, both chambers of the state legislature passed a 10-cent gas tax increase in bipartisan fashion. Gov. Terry Branstad signed the state’s first increase since 1989 into law and it will go into effect on Sunday, March 1. The state’s other lowest grades went to inland waterways and dams, both receiving a “D,” while solid waste got the highest mark, a “B+.”