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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.