Is Burke County's infrastructure making the grade?

Nobody strives to be below average, yet that is exactly where North Carolina lands according to some infrastructure metrics.

Since 1998, the American Society of Civil Engineers has released an infrastructure report card every four years, making March 2025 the next signpost in how we are progressing — or not.

In its 2021 report card, ASCE gave the United States a C- for infrastructure. North Carolina scored below the U.S. average in key areas.

Of the state’s 18,877 bridges, 7% were structurally deficient. High-hazard dams numbered 1,552 and we have fewer full-time dam monitors than the U.S. average. More than 33% of roads were in poor or fair condition. When it comes to drinking water in the state, the ASCE identifies the greatest 20-year financial need as medium-sized systems, including pipe replacement and source treatment.

U.S. News & World Report places North Carolina at No. 31 in the country for infrastructure, well below its rankings for crime, economy, education, fiscal stability, health care, natural environment, and opportunity.

In 2024, CNBC demoted the state from No. 1 to the No. 2 state for business, behind Virginia, primarily due to the cost of future infrastructure investment needed.

Infrastructure impacts every facet of our daily life. Every flip of a light switch, every flush of a toilet, every glass we fill with tap water, and every email we send or internet search conducted. If anyone forgot how vital all infrastructure is to daily life, Hurricane Helene provided an unwelcome reminder.

The state’s roads, bridges, and dams falling short of optimal has compelled The Paper to look more closely at how Burke County’s infrastructure stacks up. Over the next few weeks, senior reporter Marty Queen will examine the county’s bridges, roads, water systems, electrical systems, and broadband access.

But first, we start with dams.