ASCE’s latest economic study, Bridging the Gap, is here! This report finds that when we invest in our infrastructure networks, American taxpayers and businesses save money and work more efficiently. 

ASCE’s 2021 Failure to Act study found that sub-par infrastructure costs American families $3,300 annually over 10 years. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and 2022 Inflation Reduction Act were positive steps forward, reducing that household burden to $2,000 annually, if we maintain current investment levels. Bridging the Gap shows us the progress achieved if we continue to act at current infrastructure funding levels, as well as the costs if we “snapback” to pre-IIJA funding levels in 2026.

Bridging the Gap’s key findings include:

• If we continue to act and sustain current funding levels, American families will save $700 more per year from 2024 to 2043. Those investments also save money for businesses across the economy.
• Over the next 10 years, or by 2033, U.S. GDP will save $637 billion if IIJA funding levels are maintained.
• If we snapback to pre-IIJA levels, we still slowed the growth of this investment gap through a temporary influx of federal resources. By continuing to act, the investment gap will be $800 billion less at $2.9 trillion over 10 years versus $3.7 trillion if we were to snap back to pre-IIJA investment levels in 2026.

Every dollar saved by having more efficient infrastructure and closing this gap is money that goes back into the U.S. economy and back to American households. Bridging the Gap shows the dramatic difference in how our infrastructure needs will be kept in check if we sustain IIJA funding levels rather than reversing back to pre-IIJA funding levels. Please take a moment to share this study with your federal and state elected officials. The IIJA is a positive step forward, and we need support from all levels of government and the private sector if we are to build on this momentum and continue to improve our vital infrastructure systems.