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The U.S. infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams & levees, schools, water supply, solid waste systems, and much more) is deteriorating at a faster and faster pace.

ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) recently released the following "report card" for the respective infrastructure components (A=Excellent, B=Good, C=Mediocre, D=Poor, F=Failing):

Aviation D
Bridges C
Dams D
Drinking Water D-
Energy D+
Hazardous Waste D
Inland Waterways D-
Levees D-
Public Parks & Recreation C-
Rail C-
Roads D-
School D
Solid Waste C+
Transit D
Wastewater D-

Overall: D

ASCE further projects that the cost to bring these grades up to a "B" would be approximately $2.2 trillion over 5 years.

This situation is wreaking havoc throughout municipalities across America whose operating budgets are already unmercifully strained due to the failing U.S. economy. It also makes you wonder if all the billions of dollars invested in building and maintaining the country's infrastructure are being managed and spent properly.

Seems like America has, once again, been shortchanged.

- Ed Smith, Publisher
The EHS Letter Manual