Infrastructure 'Report Card' Finds Mass. Roads, Transit Are Outdated

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Infrastructure Report Card from the White House is out -- and it looks like Massachusetts may be heading to summer school.

The Commonwealth received a C- grade for it's infrastructure, based on metrics like the quality of roads and transit, access to housing, and even childcare.

According to the report, there are 472 bridges and over 1,194 miles of highway in Massachusetts that are in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by nearly 11 percent in the Commonwealth and on average, each driver pays hundreds per year in repair costs from driving on state roads.

When it comes to public transportation, the report said residents who use transit spend an extra 52.9% of their time commuting, and non-White households are 2 times more likely to use the public service.

A lack of affordable and accessible housing was also cited as an issue in the fact sheet -- which found that 478,000 renters in Massachusetts are "rent burdened" -- meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent payments.

The report also analyzed infrastructure-related issues like damage from severe weather, caregiving, childcare, home energy costs, veterans health, and more.

As for the other 50 states assessed by the Biden Administration, not a single one received a grade higher than a C+. President Biden is currently pitching his $2 trillion infrastructure plan to bipartisan lawmakers in Congress and the Senate in order to allow states to address the aforementioned issues.

If funding is allocated to the Commonwealth, some of the big state projects that will be subject to repair include the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges on the Cape, the MBTA and transit services, and state highways.

WBZ NewsRadio's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.

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Written by Rachel Armany

(Photo: Getty Images)


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