Montana’s infrastructure is now ranked on par with the national infrastructure score, donning a ‘C-’ grade in the 2024 Report Card for Montana’s Infrastructure. ASCE’s Montana Section released its latest report today, which covers 14 categories of infrastructure and is a one-step decrease from the ‘C‘ the state received in its 2018 report.
At a press conference at the State Capitol building, engineers from the Montana Section shared findings from the report and solutions for raising the grades.
Of the 14 categories, two (drinking water and schools) saw grade increases, while three (bridges, energy, and solid waste) saw grade decreases compared to the 2018 report. The report also includes the state’s first assessment of broadband infrastructure, which was given an ‘I’ for incomplete due to a lack of necessary condition data.
The grades for each category are below
| Grade | Categories |
| C+ | Rail |
| C | Aviation, Drinking Water, Solid Waste |
| C- | Bridges, Dams, Hazardous Waste, Public Parks, Roads, Wastewater |
| D | Schools, Stormwater |
| I | Broadband |
Population Growth and Extreme Weather Adding Strain
The report notes that increasingly severe weather events such as the record water flows that led to a rail bridge collapse over the Yellowstone River in 2022 underscore the need to modernize Montana’s built environment with more resilient assets. Structures that are unprepared for harsh conditions will put lives at risk and slow economic growth. Emerging contaminants like PFAS in the state’s water supply, which pose great public health risks when consumed, are being addressed by state agencies effectively, but there is more to be done. Montana’s percentage-based population growth is among the highest in the nation since 2019, which can spark economic activity but also requires networks to expand to accommodate this growth.
Transportation Networks Need Work
In this year’s report card, bridges dropped from a ‘C’ to a ‘C-’, despite a $45 million revenue boost from the IIJA over the bill’s five-year life cycle (2021-2026). While significant, available funding continues to be a fraction of existing needs, with annual needs hovering around $400 million while available funds are closer to $60 million. This has led to 35 more bridges labeled with posted load restrictions and 11 new bridge closures each year, which will grow 10-20% yearly if funding levels remain the same. This slows economic efficiency, forcing heavier trucks carrying goods through the region to take long detours, which ultimately increases the costs of goods.
Roads are also a ‘C-’, as 33% of urban roads and 20% of rural roads were classified as being in poor condition in 2023. Harsh winters exacerbate these challenges, as snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles accelerate pavement degradation. Over the next decade, an estimated $16.9 billion will be needed for road maintenance and improvements, yet projected revenue stands at just $6.5 billion.
Energy Grid a Concern
Energy (‘C-’) is another chapter whose grade dropped one-notch from Montana’s 2018 report due to an aging grid that lacks the modern equipment necessary to support renewable energy integration and surging power demands. In an increasingly electric-dependent world, electricity consumption increased by 11% between 2010 and 2019. Additionally, Montana ranks 4th in the nation for per capita energy consumption due to its energy-intensive industries (such as mining, agriculture), long travel distances, and harsh winters. However, Montana is a major player in the regional energy market, exporting 40% of its electricity to neighboring states.
How to raise the grade
The Report Card for Montana’s Infrastructure includes five recommendations to raise its cumulative grade.
- Establishing dedicated, long-term funding for critical infrastructure categories: Temporary or inconsistent funding sources have led to deferred maintenance and increased infrastructure vulnerabilities. Dedicated funding streams can ensure sustained investment in critical infrastructure, securing economic growth and public safety for the long term.
- Addressing workforce development to sustain infrastructure progress: Montana’s infrastructure improvement requires a larger, more skilled, well-resourced workforce. Investments in education, training programs, and apprenticeships will ensure a pipeline of qualified workers to build, maintain, and modernize infrastructure while boosting economic opportunity.
- Prioritizing climate resilience in infrastructure planning and development: Montana’s diverse geography and extreme weather risks require robust strategies to enhance resilience. Investing in infrastructure capable of withstanding severe conditions, such as improved stormwater systems and wildfire-resistant designs, enhances resiliency and safeguards communities.
What’s next
State infrastructure report cards are a valuable advocacy tool at all levels of government. ASCE members are looking forward to discussing the new Report Card and steps to raise the grade with state lawmakers when they start the 2025 legislative session in January, and with Montana’s members of Congress during ASCE’s Legislative Fly-In, which takes place in March, immediately after the release of the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.
