Bridge, building maintenance backlogs will hit state budgets as federal aid declines

A new analysis estimates $1T in deterred projects, though recordkeeping varies widely across states.

Stateline By Kevin Hardy October 16, 2025

The growing backlog of bridges and public buildings in need of repair or replacement poses an increasing threat to state finances, but tracking of maintenance liabilities varies wildly across the states.

That reality is examined in a new analysis published Thursday by the Volcker Alliance, a nonprofit that supports public sector workers, along with The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

The analysis implores states to urgently adopt better methods to identify, quantify and fund their deferred infrastructure maintenance. 

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