Poll: Most voters say US infrastructure getting worse

Nearly half of Americans believe the nation’s infrastructure has deteriorated over the last five years, according to a new poll from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.  The survey of 2,000 registered voters found that 46 percent think the state of U.S. infrastructure has gotten worse and nearly 90 percent believe that roads, bridges and energy grids require extreme repairs.  The AEM is hoping that the poll, which was released Monday, will guide lawmakers and candidates as they craft their long-term visions for infrastructure.  “Americans across the political spectrum understand the dire state of U.S. infrastructure and believe that the federal government should do more to improve our infrastructure,” said Dennis Slater, president of the AEM. “Voters recognized that increased federal funding for assets such as roads, bridges, and inland waterways will have a positive impact on the economy, and they are looking to the federal government to repair and modernize.”  The country is projected to face a $1.4 trillion infrastructure investment gap in the next decade, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.