BOSTON (WGGB/WSHM) - Massachusetts is getting a near-failing grade for its roads, bridges, and water systems. A new report from the Boston Society of Civil Engineers gave the state’s infrastructure an overall grade of D plus — 2 steps below the national “C” average.

Engineers reviewed bridges, roads, dams, transit, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. “Massachusetts is one of the densest populations with some of the nation’s oldest infrastructure. Increasingly extreme and frequent weather events, a great deal of wear and tear, and structures aging beyond their intended design lives leads to a great number of infrastructure needs. And all the more reason for us to assess where these systems currently stand. That’s why it’s so important to have an updated report on our state’s infrastructure conditions and needs to pair with the national assessment,” said Rich Matson, President of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers.

Transit scored the highest, with a C minus, but bridges, dams, and roads all earned d-pluses, while drinking water, wastewater and stormwater were rated a straight D.

The report said the Baystate has the oldest bridge inventory in the country, averaging 65 years. It also reports many pipes and dams are decades past their design life. Officials said the findings help identify issues, so they can be fixed.

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