To evidence the need for an infrastructure bill, the White House has released state-by-state breakdowns that show the dire shape of roads, bridges, the power grid and housing affordability.
The administration’s fact sheet had 25 states receiving grades of C-minus or below. The highest grade given was a C+, to Georgia and Utah. A total of 13 states – including Arkansas – did not receive a grade.
Of the Natural State’s roads and bridges, the White House offered these findings:
In Arkansas there are 663 bridges and over 6,700 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 3% in Arkansas and on average, each driver pays $671 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
The figures in the state summaries paint a bleak picture of the nation’s infrastructure after years of repairs being deferred and delayed. “We don’t have a lot of work to do to persuade the American people that U.S. infrastructure needs major improvement,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Fox News. “The American people already know it.”
