The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) this week released its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. The country received a grade of C, which is the highest grade the U.S. has received since the group began its report card system in 1998. The goal of the report cards is to identify risks to public safety, as well as funding and investment goals for local officials. Iowa received an overall grade of C. Its highest marks were B- for the state’s roads and solid waste system. The lowest grades were D for Iowa’s bridges and dams. Report recommendations included: 

• Support funding improvements for present and future needs: Iowa should modify motor fuel taxes to rise with inflation and direct money to locally owned bridges. Decision-makers should also approve a sales tax increase supporting the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, the report said
• Fortify water systems for greater resilience: From 1953 to 2018, Iowa had more disaster declarations due to flooding than any other state in the nation, a trend that’s likely to continue. Resilience can’t be addressed without greater investment in aging systems, according to the report.
• Foster intergovernment and nonpolitical organization for improved capacities: Project delivery capacity, data collection and use, and stakeholder inclusion can be improved when decision-making expands beyond traditional silos, the report said.

Iowa’s roads grade improved after repair work was completed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. The DOT achieved a 26% reduction in poor-condition bridges, but the state still has the most structurally deficient bridges in the country, the report stated. All but 30 of Iowa’s 4,599 poor bridges are owned by local governments that have severe funding constraints.

ASCE projects a $3.7 trillion gap between current planned infrastructure investments and what must be done to have the nation’s infrastructure in good working order — an increase from the $2.59 trillion gap reported four years ago.