Each month, EDCUtah’s Research Minute highlights interesting economic development data and timely research insights. This month, we discuss Utah’s infrastructure grades given by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Utah’s infrastructure received a C+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in their recent update of the state’s infrastructure report card. The professional society has been grading the nation’s infrastructure since 1988 but only began grading Utah separately in 2015., Since 2017, the state of the nation’s infrastructure has improved; moving from a D+ to a C in those eight years. Meanwhile, Utah has improved one grade: from a C to a C+ in the past 10 years. C+ is the highest infrastructure grade given to any state so far, with only two other states receiving a C+ (Georgia and Wisconsin in 2024).

The Utah Section of the ASCE graded 12 of Utah’s infrastructure categories, based on eight criteria. The best grade, A, represents infrastructure labeled as “exceptional, fit for the future”, while the worst grade, F, is labeled as “failing/critical, unfit for purpose.”  

Most of Utah’s infrastructure grades have remained the same over the past 5 and 10 years. The Utah Section of the ASCE credits Utah leaders and infrastructure agencies with working “diligently to plan for and address all of Utah’s infrastructure needs, both rural and urban.” And while the state has done a good job at maintaining infrastructure over longer time-horizons, the steady C+ grade may also be an indicator that more investment is needed to ensure Utah’s long-term stability.  

There are a few areas where the state has improved and others where it has declined. Looking at Utah’s infrastructure grades from 2015, 2020, and now 2025, here are five trends worth highlighting that demonstrate Utah’s trajectory in providing the necessary amenities to support its residents and economic stability now and in the future.

“Utah benefits from a developing Wasatch Front, but rural communities are key to the state's continued success. Those communities need access to reliable clean water, functional roads, transit, flood control, and other necessities of life.”
- Utah Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Critical Investment Opportunities

Transit

Utah dropped two grades from a B+ to a B- on transit in the last five years after not changing in the five years prior. A rising population and higher-density population centers make multi-modal and public transportation more necessary than ever as space for traditional car travel becomes scarcer. The ASCE highlights several positives: the many funding initiatives for transit, Salt Lake City’s transit ranking as the tenth best among the nation’s largest cities, and the proximity of 95% of Utah’s population to transit options. However, they also suggest that making these modes of transportation more cost competitive, increasing access in rural Utah, and updating outdated infrastructure are necessary steps to improving the state’s transit grade.  

Levees/Canals

Utah has maintained the same grade of D- for levees and D+ for canals over the last 10 years, emphasizing the critical needs of the state’s poorest graded infrastructure categories. According to ASCE, “Utah has nearly 100 miles of levees that have an average age of 63 years,” and many of them fail to meet the standards of the Army Corps of Engineers. Without increasing funding and updating levees, much of Utah’s population centers could be classified as flood plains and will affect how they are assessed and insured.  

Similarly, canals are at risk of damage and contamination in their current state. Utah’s canals—many of which are earth embankments and ditches, historically used for private irrigation—are increasingly being used for stormwater and flood management. Updates could reduce the risk of significant damage while also decreasing natural water loss.  

Bridges

While Utah’s Bridges maintain a high grade of B, the grade dropped from a B+ in the last five years. The ASCE recommends more funding to maintain and operate the state’s bridges as they age. Initiatives such as UDOT’s Bridgefest showed positive momentum in the improvement of this critical infrastructure, but additional funding will be required to maintain the high standard that Utah has maintained in the past.  

Positive Trends

Aviation

The grade for aviation increased from C to a C+ in the last five years, largely due to the increased capacity of the Salt Lake City International Airport. With a budget of $3.6 billion to invest in the new airport, phases 1 and 2 of its construction have been completed with the next phase currently underway. The ASCE suggests investing in rural Utah airports to maintain and improve connectivity statewide to further improve its grade.  

Drinking Water

Between 2015 and 2020, Utah’s grade for drinking water infrastructure improved from a C to a B-. The grade did not change in 2025, but the progress made in those first five years has been maintained. Utah has successfully reduced water use by 20 percent over the last 20 years, and additional reductions will be necessary as the population continues to grow. Fortunately, legislation has been put in place to require water planning to strategize conservation and resilience for the future.  

Investing in the Future

With Utah’s population expected to increase by 66% by 2060, maintaining and improving infrastructure will be critical to support that growth. Additionally, businesses require reliable infrastructure to operate efficiently and sustain employment for future generations. Ongoing infrastructure investment, especially in key risk areas, will be critical to ensuring statewide “access to clean water, reliable transportation, flood control, and responsible waste management.”

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View Utah's 2025 Infrastructure report card.