The American Society of Civil Engineers 2017 infrastructure report card gave the United States a D-plus grade for its overall infrastructure system. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says even more alarming was the inland waterways and roads and bridges fared even worse.

He says the nation’s infrastructure systems needs a major overhaul for the ag industry to continue to be competitive and to support the ag economy.

The report card estimates that between 2016 and 2025, there will be an overall infrastructure funding gap of $2 trillion. Steenhoek says while revenue to address the problem is needed, being efficient and effective with dollars is even more important.

Steenhoek adds that while it’s essential to have a robust amount of funding for improving the nation’s infrastructure, predictability and reliability of funding from federal, state and local governments is what’s really needed.