Report Card: 'D' Grade for PA Infrastructure

The American Society of Civil Engineers has given Pennsylvania a "D" on its annual report card reviewing the condition of roads, water systems and critical infrastructure in the state.

Some of the key findings in the report card for Pennsylvania include:

* 50% of Pennsylvania’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
* There are 781 high hazard dams in Pennsylvania. A high hazard dam is defined as a dam whose failure would cause a loss of life and significant property damage.
* 529 of Pennsylvania's 3,196 dams are in need of rehabilitation to meet applicable state dam safety standards.
* 9% of high hazard dams in Pennsylvania have no emergency action plan (EAP). An EAP is a predetermined plan of action to be taken including roles, responsibilities and procedures for surveillance, notification and evacuation to reduce the potential for loss of life and property damage in an area affected by a failure or mis-operation of a dam.
* Pennsylvania's drinking water infrastructure needs an investment of $10.99 billion over the next 20 years.
* Pennsylvania ranked 16th in the quantity of hazardous waste produced and 5th in the total number of hazardous waste producers.
* Pennsylvania’s ports handled 108 million tons of waterborne traffic in 2005, ranking it 10th in the nation.
* Pennsylvania reported an unmet need of $43.2 million for its state public outdoor recreation facilities and parkland acquisition.
* 44% of Pennsylvania's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
* 34% of Pennsylvania's major urban highways are congested.
* Vehicle travel on Pennsylvania’s highways increased 27% from 1990 to 2007.
* Pennsylvania has $3 billion in backlogged road repairs.
* Pennsylvania has $7.18 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs.

The Society says the nation's infrastructure needs now total $2.2 trillion over the next five years -- an increase of 38 percent from just five years ago.

The American Society of Civil Engineers 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, including a link to state-specific report cards is available online at: www.infrastructurereportcard.org

Gov. Rendell has issued a self-serving press release that almost says he hasn't been around over the past six years as the state's infrastructure has deteriorated.

You can read that one at the link below:

Governor Rendell says 'D' Grade for PA's Infrastructure Demonstrates Need for Greater National Investment, Better Planning