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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 17,844 |
| WATER NEPONSET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 5,286 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 6,078 |
| WATER TOWN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 19,200 |
| WATER SOUTH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 2,974 |
| WATER SOUTH RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 1,293 |
| WATER MYSTIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 13,500 |
| WATER NEMASKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 8,857 |
| WATER SCORTON RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 4,214 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 32,000 |
| WATER COLE RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 13,357 |
| RR PVRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1926 | 100 | — |
| WATER W BR MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 9,310 |
| WATER W BR MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 9,569 |
| WATER DORCHESTER BAY | Massachusetts | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 78,900 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 3,000 |
| OTHER GREENWAY M/U PATH | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 388 |
| WATER HOOSIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 12,714 |
| FARMINGTON RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 40 |
| WATER SATUCKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 7,629 |
| WATER STONY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 18,404 |
| WATER BACHELOR BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 1,034 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 800 |
| WATER NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 16,182 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 28,500 |
| RR BMRR (ABANDONED) | Massachusetts | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 11,000 |
| TR RED HIGH SPEED LN | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 26,600 |
| WATER W BR FARMINGTON R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 2,927 |
| WATER MILLERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 16,680 |
| RR BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 11,407 |
| WATER FORT POND BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,885 |
| WATER YOKUM BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 129 |
| COMB SOL FLD RD & RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 37,370 |
| TR RED HSL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 800 |
| WATER BRONSON BRK WEST B | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,069 |
| WATER HUDSON BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 714 |
| WATER CHILDS RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 17,068 |
| WATER ASSABET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 6,500 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 12,600 |
| WATER RUMFORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 28,429 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 25,086 |
| WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 5,948 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 8,500 |
| WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 570 |
| WATER WARREN BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 10,105 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,716 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 12,500 |
| WATER FORT RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1929 | 97 | 11,250 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1929 | 97 | 22,800 |
| WATER BASS RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1929 | 97 | 21,300 |
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.