Atlanta News category interest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia earned a C+ rating for its overall infrastructure, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

The annual infrastructure report card is decided on by a committee of more than 50 civil engineers across the state. Grades are given based on eight criteria, such as capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation, maintenance, public safety, resilience and innovation.

Here is how the state of Georgia ranked:

Aviation: C+

Bridges: B

Dams: D+

Drinking Water: C+

Energy: B

Ports: B+

Public Parks: C

Rail: B

Roads: C+

Schools: B

Solids Waste: C+

Stormwater: C-

Transit: D

Wastewater: C-

During a news conference on Monday, ASCE volunteers said Georgia’s infrastructure is in better than average condition and is functioning well, but still requires attention.

WATCH THE FULL NEWS CONFERENCE BELOW:

“This report is a reflection on the systems we have in place and their current and expected ability to withstand external stressors such as increase in energy demand, population growth, increase in severe weather, and shifting traffic patterns which are factors we are seeing impact almost every state in the nation,” said ASCE Georgia President Anita Atkinson.

Republican State Representative Vance Smith said improvements to public infrastructure are top of mind for lawmakers.

“We’ve got to keep the metro system in Atlanta Georgia maybe there is some way to tie in some light rail system to what they have now. Rural Georgia is more or less bus transit and in Columbus Georgia, the bus system is big there. This report just gives us some guidelines. We are doing good in this area, but we need the emphasis on these areas,” said Smith.

The group’s proposed solutions include:

Deliver dedicated state transit funding

Set responsible, resilient utility rates and user fees

Expand safety funding and oversight in dams and roads

Invest in new electricity generation and a resilient grid

Increase funding and coordination of intermodal freight

>> READ THE FULL REPORT BELOW