Historic Bridges in Massachusetts
1,481 bridges built before 1951 in Massachusetts still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 1,481 bridges in Massachusetts built before 1951 that remain in active service. These structures are 75+ years old — many predate modern engineering codes and were not designed for today's traffic volumes and vehicle weights. The average design life of a bridge is 50 years, making these aging structures a significant infrastructure concern.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIEST BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1910 | 116 | 2 |
| WATER SHINGLE ISL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 1,214 |
| WATER MILLERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1910 | 116 | 33 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 8,858 |
| WATER GREEN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 5,200 |
| WATER ASSABET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 3,900 |
| WATER SAWMILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 650 |
| RR BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 2,285 |
| WATER RIVER MEADOW BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 10,969 |
| WATER WESTERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Poor | 1910 | 116 | 3,500 |
| WATER WADING RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1910 | 116 | 4,714 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 1,300 |
| WATER POCKSHA POND | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 714 |
| WATER QUABOAG RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 13,981 |
| WATER NASHUA RIVER TRIB | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 13,807 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 14,800 |
| RR BMRR SPUR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 5,825 |
| WATER QUINEBAUG RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1910 | 116 | 13,925 |
| WATER STILLWATER RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 300 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1910 | 116 | 387 |
| WATER BEAVER BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 32,720 |
| WATER WORTHINGTON BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1911 | 115 | 8,664 |
| WATER WASHNGTN MTN BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1911 | 115 | 2,925 |
| WATER FACTORY BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1911 | 115 | 300 |
| WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Poor | 1911 | 115 | 16,642 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1911 | 115 | 27,350 |
| WATER SEVEN MILE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1911 | 115 | 15,292 |
| WATER WILLETT POND OTLT | Massachusetts | Good | 1911 | 115 | 3,429 |
| OTHER CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1911 | 115 | 7,758 |
| OTHER CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1911 | 115 | 5,431 |
| COMB CHARLES RV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 24,100 |
| RR (ABANDONED) | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 500 |
| WATER MERRIMACK CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 6,500 |
| WATER SPICKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 10,518 |
| WATER NEMASKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 1,552 |
| WATER WEST RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 10,157 |
| WATER WESTFIELD BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 129 |
| WATER ALEWIFE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 650 |
| WATER BLACKSTONE CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 9,440 |
| TR BLUE LINE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 34,400 |
| WATER SALISBURY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 1,600 |
| WATER SALISBURY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 12,672 |
| WATER SWIFT RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 2,071 |
| WATER WESTERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 3,700 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 2,450 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 5,125 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 3,425 |
| WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 4,267 |
| WATER SW BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1913 | 113 | 11,151 |
| WATER SW BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Good | 1913 | 113 | 1,655 |
About Historic Bridge Data
Bridges built before 1951 are classified as historic in this database. Many were designed to 1940s standards with lower load limits and narrower lanes. While FHWA requires regular inspections of all bridges regardless of age, older structures often require more frequent monitoring and rehabilitation investment.