Based on the report card, a D grade means that the infrastructure of the state is below standard. Many of the state’s structures are at risk of failing and show signs of major deterioration and deficiencies. The ASCE grades the various sectors of infrastructure based on eight criteria; capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. The same grading metric is also used for the ASCE’s report card for the whole country, which also received a D+.
New Jersey received this low rating due to deficiencies in the state’s structures. According to the report, nearly 9% of New Jersey’s bridges are “structurally deficient”, meaning major repairs are needed. The same can be said of about 42% of the roads, and these structural deficiencies cost commuters on average $1,951 per driver in lost time, fuel, and other vehicle damages.