Forbes: Engineers begin Oregon infrastructure study

Associated Press 09.05.08, 1:06 PM ET

PORTLAND, ORE. –

Oregon’s infrastructure is going to get a report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The national association assesses the condition of the infrastructure across the country every five years.

In 2005, the engineers gave the nation’s roads, schools and other public assets a D grade and said $1.2 trillion was needed to bring it up to an A. The number was updated to $1.6 trillion in 2008.

Since then, several states including California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have produced their own report cards.

But Oregon hasn’t yet undertaken its own evaluation.

Over the next four to six months, the engineering organization will study the condition of Oregon’s roads and bridges, wastewater treatment, drinking water systems, schools, dams, transit, airports, and the power grid.