Report gives U.S. infrastructure bad marks

THE NATION has been given a grade of "D" on the state of its infrastructure. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the USA's roads, bridges, schools, and drinking-water systems--the things we take for granted--have been assumed healthy for too long.

The engineers' report, issued on Wednesday, is actually down from the D+ received on the last report card four years ago. The new summary reflects the change in priorities that has taken place since Sept. 11, 2001, and includes national security as a new category. While security issues and defense spending are sapping funds for concrete and asphalt, it's not as though we were addressing these needs adequately before the terrorist attacks.

Like a report from the milk producers that says we need to drink more milk, this survey comes from civil engineers, whose job it is to design and build infrastructure. Nevertheless, the report offers evidence that without a serious investment in the nation's basic systems of operation, they will crumble into crisis sooner or later.

In a passage that hits close to home, the report notes that twice now, Fredericksburg City Councilman Joe Wilson has mailed chunks of concrete that have fallen from the railroad bridge across Caroline Street to Michael Ward, the chairman of CSX Corp. After putting off repairs for years, CSX says it will do the work--if a transportation bill that includes $2.5 million requested by Rep. Jo Anne Davis to fix the city's rail bridges becomes law. The bill passed a preliminary House vote on Thursday, but it has a tough road ahead in the Senate. State, regional, and municipal funding also have proper roles in the railroad-bridge fix.