Grading US infrastructure with Tom Smith

In today’s episode we will focus on the state of public infrastructure in the United States of America.

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers releases what’s been called “the nation’s most important report you’ve probably never heard of” - the Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

Using a simple A–F grading scale, it assesses the state of everything from roads, bridges, and railways to water systems, schools, broadband, and energy grids.

And this year’s Report Card gives U.S. infrastructure an overall grade of C highlighting a mix of hard-won progress - and mounting risk.

So what does that actually mean on the ground Well to help us break it all down, I’m joined by Tom Smith, Executive Director of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and one of the country’s most respected voices on infrastructure strategy, resilience, and investment.

Tom gives a great insight into why this year’s report card matters, what it reveals about how we build and maintain critical systems, and what it’ll take to move from crisis response to long-term planning.

And in particular explains what it means for everyday Americans.

Resources

• ASCE Report Card 2025
• ASCE website
• ASCE "Cities of the Future" film
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
• Bentley Systems' Transforming Infrastructure Performance New York summit
• Renewable Natural Resources Foundation
• ICE State of the Nation report card