The 2025 Report Card for Nevada’s Infrastructure has been released, thanks to the hard work of ASCE members who volunteered their time and energy to research and write the report card, and it brings positive developments. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has awarded Nevada’s infrastructure a ‘C+’ grade, an improvement from a ‘C’ in the last report card in 2018. This makes Nevada one of only four states to receive a ‘C+ grade, alongside Georgia, Utah, and Wisconsin.
The Grades Are In
Here’s a quick overview of the grades for the eight categories included in the report card:
| Grade | Categories |
| B- | Bridges, Wastewater |
| C+ | Aviation, Energy, Public Parks |
| C | Roads |
| C- | Dams, Drinking Water |
Bridges: Holding Strong
Nevada’s bridges have maintained a ‘B-’ grade. Only 1.5% of the bridges are in poor condition, which is significantly better than the national average of 6.5%. However, with 26% of bridges being over 50 years old, there is a need for ongoing attention and funding to keep this grade high.
Roads: Steady but Needs More
The roads in Nevada have retained a ‘C’ grade. More than half of the roads are in good or very good condition, which is better than the national average. The state is benefiting from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is providing $2.8 billion over five years. However, there is a looming $6 billion funding gap for the next decade.
Energy: Growing Pains
Nevada’s energy grade has slightly decreased to a ‘C+’. The state is growing, and so is the demand for energy with an increasing population, companies building data centers and the growth of AI computing. While NV Energy has added new projects, the pace of growth is outstripping the development of new energy sources. The good news is that Nevada’s energy distribution system is in relatively good condition.
Water: Conservation is Key
Like many Western states, the reliability and resilience of the water supply remain critical issues, and Nevada’s drinking water systems received a ‘C-’ grade. Nevada is the driest state in the nation, and aggressive water conservation efforts are in place. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has made significant strides in reducing water use and recycling. However, many water facilities are aging and will need significant investment.
Dams: Improving but Underfunded
Dams have seen an improvement to a ‘C-’ grade, from a ‘D+’ in 2018. The state has conducted extensive work to update the condition information on dams; however, the dam safety program remains underfunded.
Moving Forward: Recommendations
The 2025 Report Card for Nevada’s Infrastructure includes several recommendations to raise the grades:
- Nevadans should continue to index the state fuel tax to inflation: While Washoe and Clark Counties have taken positive steps and raised new revenue for transportation infrastructure by indexing their gas taxes, the remaining counties in Nevada should follow suit in future election cycles. Adequate investment in our roads and bridges is critical to ensuring that freight moves seamlessly throughout the state; tourists are easily able to access the parks, casinos and other forms of entertainment; and rural citizens can enjoy the same quality of life as urban residents.
- Increase operations and maintenance budgets as additional infrastructure is added to the network: Much of Nevada’s infrastructure, particularly in the growing suburbs, is new. We must provide adequate operations and maintenance funding to support the state’s new infrastructure, which will save us costly repairs and replacements down the line.
- Continue to support emerging technologies and foster an attractive culture for innovative companies: Nevada is leading the way in infrastructure and mobility innovation, including renewable energy, autonomous vehicles, drone technology and transit systems. We should capitalize on progress and continue to support forward-thinking organizations and innovations. The state’s universities should offer energy programs to help meet the rising demand for a workforce with knowledge of alternative and renewable energy production and utilization.
- Develop and implement a new transportation funding mechanism to compensate for the influx of electric vehicles using Nevada’s roadways.
Nevada’s infrastructure is on the right track, but there is still work to be done. By prioritizing investment and planning for the future, we can ensure that our infrastructure remains reliable and resilient. We want to thank all of our members in Nevada who worked on the report card, and the ASCE Government Relations and Infrastructure Initiatives team is excited to work with you as you present the report card to decision makers and advocate for better infrastructure in the Silver State.