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 [1]. If you want to read the actual report, you can download the entire document here [2].
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 [3].