Pennsylvania's Infrastructure Report Card - Not Good

Pennsylvania's roads, bridges, transit, and water infrastructure received near-failing grades according to a American Society of Civil Engineers' "2010 Report Card for Pennsylvania's Infrastructure" and the DOT rebuffed the state's tolling solution.

1 minute read

May 27, 2010, 1:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The ASCE report card that gave "roads a D, bridges a C and transit a D-plus" was released May 24. It's the second they released - the first was done four years ago. Grades have only gotten worse.

"Pennsylvania has the nation's largest inventory of structurally deficient bridges -- 6,060 as of December, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

The report card comes at a time of looming drastic cuts in state spending on roads, bridges and transit, unless the Legislature comes up with an alternative to the $472 million for the coming fiscal year that was to be financed with Interstate 80 tolls."

However, the Federal Highway Administration in April rejected the state's tolling request".

"The ASCE, representing 139,000 civil engineers worldwide, issued grades to Pennsylvania in 12 categories in its "2010 Report Card for Pennsylvania's Infrastructure"... Water infrastructure is the second most pressing problem after transportation."

Thanks to Paolo (Paul) Pezzotta, AICP

Monday, May 24, 2010 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist