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.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
OTHER PEAT BOG Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 48,750
ST 2 COMMONWEALTH AVE Massachusetts Good 1937 89 22,241
WATER TROUT BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 11,785
WATER CLESSON BROOK Massachusetts Good 1937 89 120
RR AMTRAK/MBTA Massachusetts Good 1937 89 17,650
WATER NORTH RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 1,422
WATER NORTH RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 986
WATER W BR NORTH RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 388
WATER W BR NORTH RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 259
PRIEST BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 50
WATER CONNECTICUT RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 35,300
OTHER MILL RACE (DRY) Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 2,260
WATER MILLERS RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 1,140
WATER N NASHUA RIVER Massachusetts Good 1937 89 700
WATER N NASHUA RIVER Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 13,348
WATER MONOOSNOC BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 54,761
WATER MONOOSNOC BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 47,074
WATER OTTER RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 400
WATER CONN RIV AND CANAL Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 11,100
WATER MILL RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 4,700
WATER CONNECTICUT RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 30,785
WATER MILL RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 905
WATER NASHUA RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 4,759
WATER MERRIMACK RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 18,230
WATER EASTERN CANAL Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 18,230
WATER CHICOPEE RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 5,172
WATER MULPUS BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 3,352
HWY LYNN ST Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 70,180
WATER ASSABET RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 1,040
COMB CHCPEE BRK & NECRR Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 12,155
WATER SAWMILL RIVER Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 517
WATER SAWMILL RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 100
WATER MILL BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 1,100
WATER MILL BROOK Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 258
WATER MILLERS RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 13,600
WATER ORCUTT BROOK Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 1,100
WATER WARE RIVER Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 4,300
WATER WARE RIVER Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 6,364
RR ABANDONED Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 9,180
HWY LOWELL ST Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 102,600
WATER NASHUA RIVER Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 12,478
WATER E BR SWIFT RIVER Massachusetts Good 1937 89 2,844
WATER WARE RIVER Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 400
RR MBTA (ABANDONED) Massachusetts Good 1937 89 428
COMB TRAIL & LINDEN CRK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 12,996
WATER PRIEST BROOK Massachusetts Poor 1937 89 444
WATER E BR WARE RIVER Massachusetts Good 1937 89 130
US 1 BROADWAY Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 26,300
US 1 BROADWAY Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 35,600
WATER GULF BROOK Massachusetts Fair 1937 89 129

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.