In the executive summary for the report, the ASCE says, “America’s infrastructure is the foundation on which our national economy, global competitiveness, and quality of life depend. While often taken for granted when it is working properly, every American household or business immediately feels the impact of just one inefficiency or failure in our built environment. Our infrastructure includes an interconnected system of highways, streets, public buildings, mass transit, ports, airports, inland waterways, water systems, waste facilities, the electric grid, broadband networks, dams, levees, and other public and private facilities.”

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They go on to say, “Maintaining these networks is essential to meet economic demands and protect public health and safety. For American families and businesses to thrive, we need a first-class infrastructure system that moves people and goods safely, sustainably, efficiently, and affordably by land, water, and air; energy transmission systems that deliver clean, dependable, low-cost power; and water systems that reliably and safely drive industrial processes, as well as the daily functions of our communities.”

Roads to ruin.

Let’s talk specifics for the Great Lakes state – like Michigan’s “damn roads” that Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has talked about fixing since she first ran to be governor. The state’s roads got a D. Michigan’s roads are infamous for their crater-like charm, and the report confirms that reputation holds up. One-third of the state’s roads are still in poor condition, though things have slightly improved since 2017. Governor Whitmer’s $3.5 billion “Rebuilding Michigan” program gave roads a short-term boost, but the engineers say it’s nowhere near enough. The solution? More money, smarter spending, and maybe fewer potholes masquerading as swimming pools.

Bridges to nowhere and power problems.

Michigan’s 11,300 bridges are aging fast, with 11% rated in poor condition and the “good” ones dropping from 40% to 35% since 2018. The score for Michigan’s bridges: also a D. The report says the state needs to fork over $380 to $510 million annually just to patch things up.

Meanwhile, the state’s electric grid isn’t exactly inspiring confidence either with Michigan getting a D in energy. Michiganders pay more than the national average for electricity, but still endure some of the worst storm-related outages in the country according to a 2024 study by Climate Central.

Nothing above a C.

While the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state an overall C-, with especially grim grades in energy, roads, and stormwater management, there are no gold stars to be seen anywhere. Even the better scores are only C’s – including in aviation, inland waterways, public parks, rail and wastewater.