(The Center Square) – The American Society of Civil Engineers has given Wisconsin’s infrastructure a C+ in its 2024 report, the highest cumulative GPA grade any state has received but one that indicates the state’s infrastructure is in “fair condition, but still requires improvement.”
Wisconsin’s energy infrastructure received a C+ grade, with longer and more frequent power outages occurring as a result of severe weather and the transition to lower carbon energy sources, according to Director of JT Engineering Zoey Meyers.
“It’s vital to invest in power system resiliency. Over the last couple of years, there’s been a one-third decrease in the amount of coal production in Wisconsin, while natural gas production has gone substantially up,” Meyers said Tuesday. “We’re also seeing slow and steady increases in low-carbon power sources like wind, hydroelectric, and solar–but those sources are still a small percentage of Wisconsin’s energy generation. As those sources grow, power companies need to expand and improve power transmissions and distribution grids.”
Aviation, dams and bridges also each received a C+ grade, with 6.5% of Wisconsin’s 14,412 bridges having at least one major structural component in poor condition – a slightly better score than the national average. Ports received a B- grade.
Wisconsin’s roads have improved since 2020, receiving a C grade for 2024 instead of a D+ four years ago. While 86% of state highway pavement was rated in fair or better condition, 45% of all roads remain in fair or poor condition.
“The state’s focus on enhancing safety through reduced traffic fatalities and injuries and improving roadway conditions is commendable,” the ASCE said. “Yet, the disparity in road conditions across the state, alongside rising costs and safety concerns, underscores the need for a more holistic and sustained approach to infrastructure investment.”
Among all the systems in the state, the highest grade was given to Wisconsin’s hazardous waste and solid waste infrastructure, which each received a B.
Wisconsin’s worst operating systems are its public parks, transportation and wastewater plants.
Public parks received a D, having suffered from neglect due to drastic reductions in government funding. The ASCE rated Wisconsin’s transit a D+ grade, with ridership having decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic and funding tied up in the legislature. The state’s wastewater infrastructure also received a D+ due to aging infrastructure, new environmental controls on discharges, and lack of funding for necessary improvements.
“Improved resilience of wastewater conveyance, collection, and treatment systems is key to addressing more frequent hazard events, but rural facilities struggle to implement solutions like backup energy systems,” the ASCE reported. “In the last five years, the State of Wisconsin has seen an increase in toxic discharge test failures at wastewater treatment facilities caused by overdosing of phosphorus treatment chemicals or industrial chemicals seeping into municipal systems.”
Wisconsin’s broadband internet infrastructure received a C- due to 5.4% of all locations in Wisconsin being underserved by broadband or having below-average connectivity speeds, a problem that affects rural areas in particular. The state’s inland waterways and rail systems also received C- grades.
The ASCE gave both Wisconsin’s stormwater and drinking water infrastructure a C grade, reporting that roughly $7 billion is needed over the next 20 years to support and replace aging water pipes and treatment plants.
“Ninety-nine percent of Wisconsin’s water systems meet federal standards for water safety. But they also face new requirements to monitor the ‘forever chemicals,’ which will increase operating costs for our water systems,” Meyers said. “Many of Wisconsin’s water lines need to be replaced, but the replacement process is relatively slow. If we maintain the pace we are at, it will take over 200 years to repair all of the water lines that need repairing.”
Overall, the ASCE recommended the state increase infrastructure investments, provide ongoing maintenance to ensure all infrastructure is safe and reliable, and improve data collection that is then made accessible to the public.
Wisconsin is one of only three states that the ASCE has given an overall C+ grade, with the rest ranking lower. The ASCE grades each infrastructure system by its capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience and innovation.
