NM's infrastructure earns 'C' grade

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The American Society of Civil Engineers has given New Mexico's infrastructure a grade of "C."

The group, led by NM ASCE President and NMSU College of Engineering Associate Dean of Academics Sonya Cooper, recently released the state's grade in a new report. The report assessed the status of bridges, water, roads and airports.

New Mexico's low grades were due to an aging infrastructure that is deteriorating, stressed by increasing demand and the lack of adequate funding to maintain and rehabilitate such systems.

ASCE recommended regular assessments of infrastructure every one or two years.

Cooper appointed professional civil engineers who are experts in 10 infrastructure categories to lead the evaluations. They assessed infrastructure in 25 cities and in six counties.