ASCE Maryland Releases 2025 Infrastructure Report Card
Last month, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Maryland Section released the 2025 Report Card for Maryland’s Infrastructure. The purpose of ASCE’s Report Card is to inform the public and decision makers about the current state of our infrastructure in a concise format, and to provide recommendations to raise the grade. ASCE released an overall national Report Card in March 2025, which can be found here.
The 2025 Infrastructure Report Card for Maryland analyzes the state’s infrastructure in 13 categories, which include:
▪ Aviation (C+)
▪ Bridges (B-)
▪ Dams (C)
▪ Drinking Water (C)
▪ Energy (D+)
▪ Hazardous Waste (C+)
▪ Ports (B)
▪ Rail (B-)
▪ Roads (C-)
▪ Solid Waste (B)
▪ Stormwater (C+)
▪ Transit (D+)
▪ Wastewater (C+)
Each category is graded on a scale of A to F based on eight criteria: Condition, Capacity, Operation & Maintenance, Funding, Future Need, Public Safety, Innovation, and Resilience. Overall, Maryland earned a C, which is the same grade that the state received in the previous Report Card released in 2020. The grade reflects the usage of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding as well as the increasing overuse and strain of infrastructure systems in Maryland. Four infrastructure categories are in good condition, seven are in mediocre condition, and two are in poor condition. Below are some key findings from select categories of infrastructure:
Bridges (B-): Since 2020, more of Maryland’s bridges are rated in fair condition, which is consistent with national trends. Many bridges are aging, with 40% over 50 years old and 15% over 75 years old. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024 further strained Maryland’s transportation network, demanding urgent investment ahead of the planned 2028 reopening. Maryland employs strong bridge maintenance programs, but funding is at risk due to falling gas tax revenues and higher construction costs.
Ports (B): Maryland’s ports are crucial for the state’s economy and trade, including the Port of Baltimore, which is Maryland’s largest facility. The Port of Baltimore handles about 50 million tons of cargo each year and supports over 51,000 jobs. The entire port system is linked to more than 273,000 jobs and generates $63 billion in economic activity. Improvements in operating budgets and infrastructure are needed to maintain competitiveness.
Roads (C-): Maryland’s 30,000-mile road network supports the economy by moving people and goods. Managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), traffic is below pre-pandemic levels, but congestion costs are rising. The highway system is generally in good condition, but deterioration is expected. Roadway fatalities are increasing, costing approximately $32.5 billion in 2024. Funding comes from various sources, but inflation and rising costs have reduced purchasing power. Unfunded repair projects have increased from $2.2 billion to $3.8 billion. MDOT is working to identify threats and implement new technologies to maintain performance.
Solid Waste (B): Maryland’s solid waste management system is strong but faces new challenges. In 2023, the state produced over 12 million tons of waste, with 30% being exported mainly through one rail line, creating a critical vulnerability. Although landfill capacity is growing and recycling rates are high, aging infrastructure and climate issues emphasize the need for resilience planning. Key actions include improving transportation redundancy, assessing climate risks, and enhancing recycling efforts for sustainability.
Stormwater (C+): Maryland’s stormwater management program, run by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), is highly regarded nationally. The program helps protect the Chesapeake Bay and local waters from pollution and flooding. MDE manages municipal stormwater permits and has adopted innovative practices. However, issues like water quality and climate change persist, with compliance costs over $7 billion, mainly affecting local areas. While recent federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act has supported resiliency and flood mitigation projects, significant investment is still needed to upgrade stormwater systems and protect Maryland’s communities and natural resources for the future.
Wastewater (C+): Maryland’s wastewater infrastructure includes various systems, from household septic systems to large treatment plants. While these systems manage daily operations and wet weather flows, many are over 150 years old and have undergone upgrades and expansion. Maryland faces challenges like sanitary sewer overflows, leaks from aging systems, and failing septic systems. The ongoing management and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities particularly challenges Maryland.
Click here to view the full 2025 Report Card for Maryland’s infrastructure. Similar Report Cards have been released in many other states B&L is located. See the full list below:
Connecticut (2022)
Maine (2024)
New York (2022)
Pennsylvania (2022)
USA National Report Card (2025)
Development of the report involved engineers from the public and private sectors who live and work in Maryland. Among those volunteers were B&L’s Alyssa Sooklal, P.E., ENV SP, who contributed her expertise to researching and authoring the Stormwater chapter. For more information on this ASCE Report Card or to discuss ways B&L can assist your community with infrastructure needs or assessments, please contact Alyssa Sooklal.