Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers takes a close look at the condition of the nation’s infrastructure and gives it an overall grade. In 2017, we rated a “D+.”
The ASCE periodically does the same for indidivdual states. In 2019, it gave California a “C-,” meaning our infrastructure “is in mediocre condition and requires attention.”
The 2020 Census count might help raise that grade and make everyone’s commute and long-distance drive easier, faster, safer and more comfortable.
The distribution of transportation-related dollars — and the resulting road and bridge construction and maintenance — are directly linked to how many people live in which part of the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That adds another factor to the necessity of participating in this year’s count.
Using Census data, the federal Department of Transportation invests billions of dollars each year on building new infrastructure, maintaining the nation’s 4.1 million miles of existing roads, and expanding mass transportation.
