The American Society of Civil Engineers:
On December 3, 2025, ASCE Region 9, which encompasses the state of California released the 2025 Report Card for California’s Infrastructure, giving the state an overall grade of C-, consistent with the grade it received in 2019. California is home to nearly 40 million residents, a global economy, and some of the nation’s most complex infrastructure systems, supporting bustling ports, advanced water systems, world-leading transit networks, and communities stretching from dense urban centers to wildfire-prone rural regions. So, what does a C- mean? California’s infrastructure is holding up, thanks in part to major federal and state investments, but aging assets, climate pressures, and rapid growth are pushing many systems to their limits. Wildfires, drought, storms, earthquakes, and rising sea levels continue to test an already overstretched network.
Some specs:
- Bridges (C-): More than 1,500 California bridges remain in poor condition, and many structures are aging beyond their intended lifespan.
- Public Parks (D+): California’s parks face a $5.6 billion maintenance backlog and major gaps in access, with 60% of residents lacking sufficient park space.
- Roads (D): Nearly one-third of California roads are in poor condition, and the state leads the nation in congestion.
- Solid Waste (C-): California’s solid waste infrastructure is struggling to meet ambitious recycling goals amid facility closures and high costs.
- Transit (C-): Transit systems have seen modest improvements, but ridership remains far below pre-pandemic levels and agencies face rising costs.