RESTON, Va., March 20 (UPI) -- Infrastructure in the United States has progressed from an overall grade of "D" to a "D+" since 2009, a survey by civil engineers indicates.
In its 2013 Report Card, the American Society of Civil Engineers sees a slight uptick in the status of the nation's infrastructure since the society issued its last report card four years ago.
However, its 2013 report concludes that a total investment of $3.6 trillion is needed by 2020 in order to bring U.S. infrastructure up to an acceptable level.
Currently only about $2 trillion in infrastructure spending is projected, leaving an estimated shortfall of approximately $1.6 trillion.
The survey covered a vast number of topics including aviation, bridges, dams, levees, roads, schools and transit.
"The methodology with which this Report Card was produced was a very objective piece of work, not a bunch of people using a gut feeling, but real numbers," said Robert Victor, ASCE Region 2 director.
Victor said the organization formed a committee of more than 30 civil engineers, all technical experts in their field, to assess the nation's infrastructure.
