2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure Resonates From Congress to Living Rooms
It’s been roughly four years since the release of the 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) with 2025’s release set for March 25.
The 2021 release rated America’s overall infrastructure with a grade of C-. The report card document summary stated that despite being the highest grade ever issued, much work and investment was still needed. “The good news is that closing America’s infrastructure gap is possible with big, bold action from Congress, continued financial support from states and localities, and smart investments and management by infrastructure owners,” the summary read.
On Nov. 15, 2021, Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This was the biggest infrastructure investment in United States history: $1.2 trillion over five years. It’s safe to say the document’s message resonated. And now we wonder what impact the 2025 report card will have.
According to the ASCE, Maria C. Lehman, P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE, has been associated with ASCE’s report card from the start, representing the Society at the unveiling of its first report card at the National Press Club in 1998. She served on the Committee on America’s Infrastructure, which produces the report card, for the 2013, 2021, and 2025 editions. She also served as vice chair on the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council, as appointed by Biden.
In short, Lehman, who was ASCE’s 2023 president, is highly familiar with just how far reaching the report card is. She has had “thousands of conversations – with elected and appointed officials, industry leaders, and (media members) – since the IIJA was passed.” Each one has been positive, she added.
“The report card has evolved into the go-to report on U.S. infrastructure,” Lehman said. “Elected officials from local, regional, state, and federal (governments) all have an awareness and respect for what we do, as well as media across the spectrum. Even the financial industry uses the report card when making infrastructure decisions.”
