American Infrastructure Needs Urgent Investment, Private Financing Offers Solution: New Report Card

Investors of the Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA) are ready to allocate funds and expertise to modernize America's crumbling infrastructure

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) today released its 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, assigning the United States an overall grade of "C" and identifying an estimated infrastructure investment gap of $3.7 trillion. Further, transit and energy infrastructure—the core of the economy—received a concerning "D" grade. 

"This report card makes clear that all levels of government must find new ways to deliver greater, sustained infrastructure investment across the United States for decades to come," said Jon Phillips, CEO of the Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA). "Taxpayers alone cannot finance the safe, reliable, modern infrastructure that the world's most powerful economy demands. Investment managers and pension funds, offer international expertise and billions of dollars to get the job done—well and quickly."

Mr. Phillips will also speak today on a panel at the ASCE Solutions Summit, highlighting how private investors are well-positioned to close the U.S. infrastructure investment gap. GIIA represents the largest private infrastructure investors in the world, but the U.S. market only accounts for 25 per cent of its members' global assets. Investors are ready to meet America's needs by working with forward-thinking government partners—at the pace of business—to make infrastructure revitalization a reality.

Private investment has a proven track record of delivering safe and reliable infrastructure without burdening taxpayers or increasing deficits at the federal, state and municipal levels. For example, Virginia successfully revamped its I-495 Express Lanes with $280 million in private equity capital using the public private partnership model. This project was delivered on time and on budget, achieving its purpose of reducing travel time, all while supporting 31,000 local jobs, awarding contracts to small businesses and saving taxpayer dollars. By creating a pathway for increased public-private partnerships to finance and manage infrastructure projects, the United States can unlock the capital and expertise needed to deliver modernized infrastructure quickly, while the cost of it is paid over the long-term.

While modest progress has been made since the last ASCE Report Card, substantial infrastructure needs remain, specifically across transit and energy infrastructure—both of which are critical to U.S. jobs and the economy.

"The Administration and Congress should enable and encourage state and local governments to find new, innovative ways of bringing in private investors. This would greatly increase the amount of funding available and accelerate tackling the huge infrastructure investment backlog." said Phillips. "Harmonizing permitting processes across federal, state and municipal levels, for example, would be a great step, as well as financing for state and local P3 offices, asset inventories, and regional accelerators."

About GIIA

GIIA was established in 2016 to improve engagement between members, politicians, policymakers and regulators with the aim of increasing much needed investment in infrastructure. We now represent the world's leading investors in infrastructure, and advisors to the sector, who collectively represent US $2.04 trillion of infrastructure assets under management across 68 countries. Our 100+ members are investing today to provide the smart, sustainable and innovative infrastructure needed for our communities and economies to thrive.

SOURCE Global Infrastructure Investor Association