A new report card released by Florida's civil engineers shows the state's infrastructure is mediocre, but making some gains.
Engineers are giving the state a C grade overall. That’s an improvement over that state's C - grade released in 2012. The rating comes from the Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The group analyzed a number of categories including drinking water, energy and transit. The state’s aviation, bridges and ports get the highest ratings, all in the B range. But coastal areas, school facilities and storm water management need improvements; they all land in the D range. The group’s president, Jose Acosta, says the report can help policymakers prioritize the state’s needs.
“Really it’s about creating a dialog about what are needs are proactively,” he said.
The engineers are calling for increased investment at the state and local level, to prepare for a growing population, rising sea levels and tropical storms.
“Because of population growth and the various needs throughout our state, from the Keys and Miami, all the way up Pensacola, Tallahassee and Jacksonville, we need to have a stronger commitment to funding our infrastructure and having the collaboration and coordination needed to get there,” he said.
According to a separate analysis by the group, infrastructure inefficiencies cost American households $3,400 each year.
