The Biden-era infusion of federal funding helped improve the condition of the country’s infrastructure, bringing it up from a “C-” to a “C” grade, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.
The report, released Tuesday, shows grade increases in eight of the 18 categories assessed, many of which had long been stuck at a “D-” or “D.” This positive momentum is due in large part to federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, in partnership with state and local governments and the private sector, according to the report. In fact, the full force of increased funding will take years to realize.
Only two categories saw a decline: energy and rail. They were downgraded due to concerns related to capacity, future needs and safety, according to the report. Broadband was introduced as a graded category in 2025, coming in at a “C+” grade. For the first time since 1998, no categories were given a “D−” grade.
Nonetheless, a “C” grade means U.S. infrastructure shows general signs of deterioration and requires attention. Nine categories remained within the “D” range, meaning they’re mostly below standard and are approaching the end of their service life. That’s a “clear sign that more needs to be done to improve the health of America’s built environment,” according to the report.
Funding matters
Deferred work and underinvestment has long been an issue: Many of the country’s infrastructure networks have been neglected for decades at the federal level, causing the backlog of maintenance projects to mushroom, according to ASCE’s report. Meanwhile, increasingly erratic and extreme weather conditions are causing additional strain on the built environment, according to the EPA.
The $1.2 trillion, 2021 IIJA, the country’s biggest-ever infrastructure funding effort, includes $550 billion in new spending. In addition, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act has $500 billion in new spending and tax breaks that aim to boost clean energy and manufacturing, among other initiatives. Although inflation sapped some of the buying power, it’s clear that these federal investments have had a positive impact, per the report.
However, sustained investment is key to providing certainty and ensuring planning goes to development, as well as making larger infrastructure projects attainable, according to ASCE. The country still faces a $3.6 trillion investment gap over the next ten years, and the organization said sustained federal support is vital.
But will that funding be forthcoming from the Trump administration? Kristina Swallow, a professional engineer and former ASCE president, said in a media call Monday that, “100% this is a bipartisan interest area, focus area and commitment.”
“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,” said Swallow. “The investment levels that we saw under the last administration have really started to move the needle, and we're looking forward to advancing that conversation as we move into this administration.”
Better building needed for extreme weather
Infrastructure systems are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather, which is creating new and often avoidable risks to public safety and the economy, ASCE’s report found. Climate-related challenges are widespread and are increasingly affecting regions previously thought to be resistant to these events, such as Asheville, North Carolina.
In 2024, 27 extreme weather events caused $182.7 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The number of billion-dollar disasters has been climbing since the ‘80s, NOAA data show.
That means building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather is imperative, said Darren Olson, a professional engineer and member of ASCE’s Committee on America’s Infrastructure, during the media call.
“Hurricane Helene is just one recent example of our nation's infrastructure that wasn't able to withstand what Mother Nature was throwing at it,” said Olson. 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.”
Adopting the most up-to-date codes and standards — for example, ASCE’s newly released Flood Resistant Design and Construction minimum requirements guidance — will better equip communities to handle disasters and efficiently deploy public resources, according to the report.
