South Carolina infrastructure receives ‘C-’ grade in new report

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has assigned South Carolina an overall infrastructure grade of ‘C-’ in its 2026 report card. This marks an improvement from the ‘D+’ grade received in 2021, attributed to increased federal and state investments in sectors such as ports, aviation, and roads.

Despite the overall improvement, several categories remain below the national average. Ports received a B+, while aviation earned a C-. Bridges, dams, roads, and transit all received grades of D+ or lower. Drinking water and wastewater systems both received a D, facing significant challenges due to aging infrastructure and rapid population growth.

The report highlights substantial financial hurdles, including an estimated $20 billion funding shortfall for roads over the next 20 years and approximately $8 billion needed for drinking water systems. Additionally, the state continues to face high traffic fatality rates and increasing sanitary sewer overflows. Experts warn that without a sustained funding strategy, the recent progress made in infrastructure could stall or reverse.