Minnesota Infrastructure Report Card 2026 Overview
On Thursday, April 30th, the Minnesota Section and Duluth Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the 2026 Report Card for Minnesota’s Infrastructure at the State Capitol building in Saint Paul. A press release was also held at the Duluth International Airport. The report card covers 11 categories of infrastructure, including stormwater for the first time. Yet, the overall grade remains a “C”, unchanged from the grade Minnesota received in 2022 and aligned with the national infrastructure grade from ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. The grade of “C” is a mediocre rating, indicating a need for sustained, strategic investment in preservation, resilience, and modernization
Infrastructure Categories Showing Improvement
Bridges (C+)
Minnesota oversees over 21,000 bridges, but aging infrastructure is shifting many into fair condition (now over 7,100) despite slight declines in poor ratings. With $10.5 billion in needs and only $6.8 billion expected, a $3.7 billion gap threatens safety, mobility, and the economy. Closing it requires earlier investment, steady funding, and modern preservation efforts.
Energy (C+)
Minnesota uses over four times more energy than it produces, relying on imports. While more than half of its electricity now comes from zero-carbon sources, the transition is straining an aging grid with limited transmission capacity and flexibility. Retiring coal plants, rising demand, extreme weather, and reduced federal funding increase reliability risks. Sustaining progress will require major investments in transmission, storage, permitting reform, and grid modernization.
Ports (C)
Minnesota’s ports move 50+ million tons annually, with Duluth-Superior handling over half. Much infrastructure is past its 50-year design life, and funding falls far short by over 200%, leaving repairs and dredging unmet. Without sustained investment, especially in aging private docks and constrained river terminals, the state risks losing freight capacity, competitiveness, and resilience.
Transit (C)
Minnesota’s transit system delivers 63 million trips annually and has expanded service post‑pandemic, but ridership remains 40% below 2019 levels, access to jobs has declined, and over 10% of Greater Minnesota’s fleet is past its useful life. Without stable long‑term funding, stronger workforce retention, and better statewide data, the system will struggle to maintain a state of good repair.
Infrastructure Systems Holding Steady
Dams (C)
Minnesota’s 1,156 dams are rapidly aging, and a small number of high‑hazard structures pose significant risks. The 2024 Rapidan Dam failure highlights the cost of deferred maintenance, while the $24 million Lake Bronson rebuild shows what proactive investment can achieve. Preventing future failures will require more funding, stronger preparedness, and support for local and private dam owners.
Drinking Water (C-)
Minnesota has over 6,500 drinking water systems that face mounting pressure from aging infrastructure, drought, workforce shortages, and rising regulatory demands. With over $3.6B in funding requests over five years, needs far exceed resources. Ensuring safe, resilient, and affordable water will require increased investment, faster lead line replacement, workforce support, and system upgrades to address emerging contaminants and climate risks.
Public Parks (B-)
Minnesota’s parks system draws over 65 million regional visits annually and supports a $12.5 billion tourism economy, but aging assets are straining resources. With a $778 million maintenance backlog, 675 state buildings in poor condition, and annual needs topping $211 million, expansion risks outpacing upkeep. Without new investment, system quality, access, and long‑term costs will worsen.
Roads (D+)
Minnesota’s vast road network faces a $20 billion funding gap that threatens pavement quality, safety, and mobility. While conditions have improved in places, aging roads, rising costs, congestion, and climate impacts are driving broader deterioration. Without sustained funding and modernization, road performance and economic competitiveness will decline.
Wastewater (C)
Minnesota’s wastewater systems face a widening funding gap, with over $800 million in annual capital needs and limited financing, leaving aging infrastructure vulnerable. While current capacity serves 84% of residents, old systems drive rising costs, regulatory pressures, and health risks. Without sustained investment and stronger support for small communities, failures, costs, and environmental impacts will grow.
Stormwater (D+ New Category)
Minnesota’s stormwater systems are under growing strain from aging infrastructure, heavier precipitation, and development. With 23% of culverts and 12% of ponds in poor condition, and over $3.4 billion in identified needs, funding covers only a fraction of projects annually. Without major investment in upgrades, tracking, and green infrastructure, flood risks and system failures will rise.
Infrastructure Categories Facing Decline
Aviation (B-)
Minnesota’s aviation system generates more than $18 billion in annual economic impact, but aging facilities and rising demand are straining capacity. Strong safety and pavement performance contrast sharply with a projected $6.15 billion funding need through 2029, far exceeding predictable federal and state resources. To maintain reliability and statewide access, Minnesota must modernize funding tools, accelerate asset management, and invest strategically in resilience and innovation.
The Path Forward for Minnesota’s Infrastructure
ASCE has five overarching recommendations to increase the grade in Minnesota:
- Secure dedicated, sustainable funding: Establish reliable, dedicated funding so agencies can plan, preserve, and deliver projects efficiently, especially for small disadvantaged communities, and ensure utility rates reflect the true cost of service provided.
- Streamline processes and foster innovation: Streamline permitting and decision‑making while using modern standards, data, and innovative delivery methods to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
- Support comprehensive asset management: Prioritize asset management, regular inspections, and data‑driven planning to extend the life of existing infrastructure and avoid costly failures.
- Embed resilience into all infrastructure decisions: Design and build infrastructure for conditions we can expect in the future. Include resilience into every infrastructure decision to account for future demand, system reliability, and climate risks.
- Invest in workforce and public engagement: Invest in training, competitive wages, and clear public communication to build the infrastructure workforce and sustain long-term investment.
We want to thank the ASCE members in Minnesota who volunteered their time and expertise to research, write, and support the release of the 2026 Report Card for Minnesota’s Infrastructure. The report card is ASCE’s most valuable advocacy tool and a resource to help advocate for better infrastructure at all levels of government.