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American Society of Civil Engineers: Oregon's Infrastructure Report Card

In 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the nation an infrustructure report card.  Overall, the U.S. got the GPA equivalent of a "D."  America's total investment needs to shore up our infrastructure totalled $1.6 TRILLION, a number that increases as time passes.

Done years before recent high-profile tragedies, this report outlines a nation chronically under-investing in its infrastructure.

You can review America's overall infrastructure grades here.  If you want to read the actual report, you can download the entire document here.

A quick summary of some of the state's transportation problems:

Roads

  • 51% of Oregon's major urban roads are congested.
  • 38% of Oregon's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
  • Vehicle travel on Oregon's highways increased 31% from 1990 to 2003. Oregon's population grew 25% between 1990 and 2003.
  • Driving on roads in need of repair costs Oregon motorists $684 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs --- $264 per motorist.
  • Congestion in the Eugene area costs commuters $162 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time.
  • Congestion in the Portland area costs commuters $733 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time.
  • Congestion in the Salem area costs commuters $258 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time.

Bridges

  • 25% of Oregon's bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

You can read more about Oregon's infrastructure ratings here. 



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