Answer extracted from the Pegasus Radio podcast — listen to the full episode below.
Why does US infrastructure receive a D grade year after year?
US infrastructure consistently receives a D grade in annual assessments because the country lacks adequate funding despite urgent needs. Billions of dollars are required for repairs and upgrades, but these funds simply are not available—a situation exacerbated by the fact that the petrol tax, historically designed to fund construction, was diverted for other purposes and never replenished.
The infrastructure gap in the United States is not a matter of debate. An annual report card consistently assigns a failing grade, signaling systemic underfunding across transportation, water systems, bridges, and other critical assets. As Lionel Dore explains in the episode, the scale of need far outpaces available resources.
One of the core contributors to this shortfall is the erosion of dedicated funding mechanisms. The petrol tax, intended to support infrastructure construction, was redirected to cover other government priorities and was never restored to its original purpose. Without this reliable revenue stream and without sufficient alternative funding sources, states and the federal government struggle to address the backlog of repairs and necessary expansions.
This funding crisis has persisted despite repeated political promises. Presidents and legislators have discussed infrastructure improvements for decades, yet meaningful action has consistently failed to materialize. The gap between rhetoric and delivery remains one of the defining challenges facing American infrastructure policy.
Lionel Dore — Founder, Port Cullis LLC. Dore has spent over two decades in the construction and infrastructure sectors, beginning his career at Davis Belfield and Everest in London, where his father also worked as a quantity surveyor. He later became a partner at Davis Langdon and Acom before relocating internationally, spending five years in Dubai as regional director for retail infrastructure projects at Acom and Atkins, and subsequently joining BTY as director overseeing major infrastructure projects including airports, toll roads, and light rail systems.
The challenge extends beyond simple budgeting. Private capital has increasingly been engaged through Public-Private Partnerships and similar structures discussed in detail in the podcast, allowing developers and contractors to take on roles traditionally held by government. Projects like the $4 billion LaGuardia Airport DBFOM initiative demonstrate how private funding can address urgent needs when public coffers are empty—yet such projects remain the exception rather than the rule across the country.
For professionals entering the infrastructure field in the United States, this funding reality creates both challenges and opportunities. The scarcity of public money means that private developers, consultants, and construction firms increasingly shape which projects get built and how they are financed. Understanding this landscape is essential for anyone considering a career in US infrastructure development.
See also
What is the structure and benefit of Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) and Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM) in US infrastructure?
P3s allow states to leverage private money for infrastructure projects when they lack government funding. With DBFOM, the private developer builds, finances, operates and maintains the infrastructure, creating accountability and spreading financial burden.
What were the characteristics of Davis Langdon during its peak as a leading QS firm?
Davis Langdon was considered top tier within the QS world and was perceived as the best at what they did during their heyday. The firm attracted leading industry talent and shaped the direction of cost management in construction.
How does family background influence entry into quantity surveying as a career?
Lionel's father was a QS at Davis Belfield and Everest, making the path straightforward for him. Family connections and mentorship within the industry can significantly ease entry into specialized professions like quantity surveying.