Infrastructure Score Card

(courtesy of ASCE)

Congested highways, overflowing sewers and corroding bridges are constant reminders of the looming crisis that jeopardizes our nation's prosperity and our quality of life. With new grades for the first time since 2001, our nation's infrastructure has shown little to no improvement since receiving a collective D+ in 2001, with some areas sliding toward failing grades. The American Society of Civil Engineers' 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure assessed the same 12 infrastructure categories as in 2001, and added three new categories. Access the complete Report Card with details on each infrastructure category and state infrastructure information.

Top Three Infrastructure Concerns in California*

• Roads
• Schools
• Wastewater

Key Infrastructure Facts

• 60% of California’s major urban roads are congested
• 71% of California’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition
• Vehicle travel on California’s highways increased 25% from 1990 to 2003
• California’s population grew 19% between 1990 and 2003
• The state has transferred $3.1 billion from the transportation trust fund to the general fund
• Driving on roads in need of repair costs California motorists $12.6 billion a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs—$554 per motorist
• Congestion in the Bakersfield area costs commuters $130 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the Fresno area costs commuters $270 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the Los Angeles metropolitan area costs commuters $1,668 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the Ventura area costs commuters $574 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the San Bernadino area costs commuters $1,043 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the Sacramento area costs commuters $650 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the San Diego area costs commuters $865 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the San Francisco area costs commuters $1,325 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• Congestion in the San Jose area costs commuters $964 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time
• 28% of California’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete
• There are 44 state determined deficient dams in California
• California has 336 high hazard dams. A high hazard dam is defined as a dam whose failure would cause a loss of life and significant property damage
• The estimated rehabilitation cost for California’s most critical dams is estimated at $679 million
• California’s drinking water infrastructure needs $17.5 billion over the next 20 years
• California loses 222 million gallons of drinking water a day due to leaking pipes
• California has $14.4 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs
• California generates 1.55 tons of solid waste per capita
• California recycles 40.2% of the state's solid waste
• 71% of California’s schools have at least one inadequate building feature
• 87% of California’s schools have at least one unsatisfactory environmental condition

Sources

*Survey of the state's civil engineers conducted in December 2004.
TRIP Fact Sheets, February 2005
Texas Transportation Institute, 2004 Urban Mobility Report
Government Performance Project, Grading the States 2004
The State of Garbage in America, Biocycle Magazine 2004
Condition of America’s Public Schools, 1999
EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey, 2001
EPA Clean Water Needs Survey, 2000
Association of State Dam Safety Officials