Michigan infrastructure receives D+

ISHPEMING — The Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has released its 2018 Report Card for Michigan’s Infrastructure.

According to Bridge Magazine and the Keweenaw Report, Michigan received an overall grade of D+, but received a D– for its roads because 39 percent of the 120,000 miles of paved roads are rated in poor condition, 43 percent rated in fair condition and 18 percent rated in good condition.

That’s slightly better than the D letter grade it earned in 2009, the last time the engineers released a detailed report card for the state.

Twenty–seven states and Washington, D.C., have been issued updated infrastructure report cards since 2013, according to the engineering society. Of them, Michigan ranks the worst, with Arkansas, Louisiana and New Jersey also earning a D–plus grade.

The state scorecard was prepared by a volunteer group of civil and environmental engineers from Michigan.

The grades take into account such factors as whether infrastructure can meet capacity, its physical condition, government funding levels and repair costs.