Immediate Need for Sustainable Funding and Improvements for Oregon’s Infrastructure
The state of Oregon’s infrastructure is in need of improvement, with its current rating falling short of desirable by the ASCE.
According to Hoodline, the state of Oregon’s infrastructure has been graded a C- by the Oregon section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, mirroring the national average as of the last report card published in 2021. Inspecting a variety of categories including bridges, ports, and roads, among others, this assessment shines a sobering light on the state’s need for consistent and sustainable funding to maintain and improve these vital systems. This rating, revealed on Tuesday, aligns with the grade given on Oregon’s previous 2019 report card, according to KGW.
While the overall grade has not shifted in five years, it fails to reflect the mixed results across individual categories. According to the same report, roads and bridges in Oregon have seen a decline, whereas the state’s drinking water systems have experienced a modest improvement from a C- to a C, representing the highest grade noted in the report. Despite the stagnation in overall grade, improvements are being made due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other funding initiatives to tackle the state’s pressing concerns, said Ana Tijerina Esquino, Chair of the 2024 Report Card for Oregon’s Infrastructure, as reported by KPTV.
