Texas graded poorly for infrastructure

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The grade is in for Texas’ roadways and water supply needs and according to a new release the state’s infrastructure is failing.

The report card issued by Texas’s civil engineers the state gets a “c” grade because of significant lack in both long-term and maintenance planning. The report also pointed out the Lonestar State is failing to provide adequate sustainable funding dollars as well.

“As a state, we do a poor job of thinking of our infrastructure as a long-term investment. We can either invest in our future now, or, pay even more later on if we fail to meet even the most obvious needs,” said Crespin Guzman, PE, Executive Director of the ASCE Texas Section.

The 2012 Report Card for Texas’ Infrastructure, issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Texas Section evaluates the state’s infrastructure systems by categories, assigning individual sectors letter grades.

“Texas is currently in a critical state when it comes to adequate water supply and transportation infrastructure. The longer we ignore these major concerns, the longer we jeopardize everyone’s quality of life,” Guzman said.

Among the lowest categories scored were drinking water, schools and dams. All three were awarded a “D-“due to capacity and funding issues representing a significant concern that attention to current and future issues are not being addressed.

With an influx of new residents migrating to Texas our roadways were also graded poorly. Texas Roads & Highways received a (D), Bridges (B-), Transit (C+), Aviation (C+), Wastewater (C-), Solid Waste (B+), Navigable Waterways (C), Flood Control (D), and Energy (B+).  

The last Report Card for Texas’s Infrastructure was released in 2008 and also found the state’s infrastructure in poor condition, with the state’s infrastructure only showing marginal improvement over the past four years.