Delaware ended up with a D in a report card on infrastructure. The grade was slightly below the nation’s D+ grade on the condition of roads, bridges, airports and other facilities. The survey comes from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Click here for a look at Delaware’s status.
Commentary on Delaware’s infrastructure cited the following:
- Driving on roads in need of repair in Delaware costs each driver $394 per year, and 3.7% of bridges are rated structurally deficient.
- Drinking water needs in Delaware are an estimated $368.8 million.
- Wastewater needs total $206 million.
- 43 dams are considered to be high-hazard potential.
- The state’s schools have an estimated capital expenditure gap of $102 million.
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper issued the following statement on the national grade of D.
After kicking the can down the road on funding our nation’s infrastructure for decades, it’s no wonder we didn’t make the honor roll. This report card continues to show the consequences of refusing to make smart, timely investment in our roads, bridges, highways, transit systems, waterways, drinking water and wastewater systems, dams and ports. Failing to upgrade and maintain our infrastructure robs our economy of productivity and hinders our competitiveness in the global marketplace. Finding smart, modern ways to fund these long overdue improvements would put Americans to work and support our growing, modern economy. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and I hope my colleagues will join me to do the job we’ve failed to do for so many years.”
Lawmakers on both the state and national stage have been reluctant to deal with the dollars and cents side of the issue.
The federal gas tax, which finances the bulk of highway improvements has not been raised since the 1990s.
Delaware did not join neighboring states in raising its gas tax and instead opted for motor vehicle fee increases. That led to a number of new projects, with the Transportation Trust Fund expected to remain in decent shape for two or three more years.
The Trump Administration is formulating a plan to boost infrastructure spending and members of both parties have expressed a willingness to work on a package. The Trump plan might include a public/private approach.
At the same time, budget hawks in Congress will press for a program that does not add to the nation’s deficit.
