U.S. infrastructure has been given a near-failing grade by the American Society of Civil Engineers which said $4.6 trillion would needed over the next 10 years to upgrade conditions.
The D-plus grade was the same the engineering organization gave the U.S. infrastructure four years ago, according to MarketWatch.
"Our nation is at a crossroads," the engineers said. "Deteriorating infrastructure is impeding our ability to compete in the thriving global economy, and improvements are necessary to ensure our country is built for the future."
"While we have made some progress, reversing the trajectory after decades of underinvestment in our infrastructure requires transformative action from Congress, states, infrastructure owners, and the American people."
The organization gave the country's rail infrastructure the best grade of all the categories with a B. Transit received the worst grade with a D-minus. Aviation, drinking water, and inland waterways suffered the biggest grade drops since 1988, all going from a B-minus to a D.
"Our nation's infrastructure cannot be repaired and modernized on leadership and innovation alone," the society said in a solutions portion of its report. "If the United States is serious about achieving an infrastructure system fit for the 21st century, some specific steps must be taken, beginning with increased, long-term, consistent investment."
"To continue to delay such investment only escalates the costs and risks of an aging infrastructure system – an option the country, the economy, and families can no longer afford."
President Donald Trump's administration has promised to put $1 trillion into the nation's infrastructure, according to the Washington Post. The engineering organization said, though, that investment would not have covered what was needed in 2001, estimated at $1.3 million.
"President Trump is on to something when he calls for a national rebuilding," said ASCE President Norma Jean Mattei. "But Congress and the American people have to pay for it."
To pay for the improvements, Mattei said that legislators should increase the federal gas tax 25 cents and then index it to inflation, noted the Post.