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 POOR MEADOW BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 17,456 |
| RR BMRR (ABANDONED) | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 27,200 |
| WATER SECOND LEVEL CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 3,879 |
| WATER SECOND LEVEL CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 16,422 |
| WATER FIRST LEVEL CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 11,250 |
| WATER THIRD LEVEL CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 905 |
| WATER THIRD LVL CNL SPWY | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,466 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 1,500 |
| WATER SPICKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 5,255 |
| RR BMRR PAN AM | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 14,200 |
| WATER NORTHERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 8,800 |
| WATER WESTERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 700 |
| WATER CONCORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 13,300 |
| WATER PINES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 5,360 |
| WATER MILL CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 11,163 |
| RR BMRR (ABANDONED) | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 28,190 |
| WATER SPICKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 13,010 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 17,000 |
| RR MBTA/MACRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 17,000 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 3,100 |
| WATER CHICOPEE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 4,784 |
| RR NECRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 776 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,700 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 50,300 |
| WATER ABBOTT RUN RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 7,370 |
| WATER TEN MILE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 24,560 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 14,741 |
| WATER SLUICEWAY | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 1,500 |
| WATER S CHANNEL MILL RIV | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 2,008 |
| WATER N CHANNEL MILL RIV | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 2,008 |
| WATER ASSABET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,600 |
| WATER PALMER RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 13,010 |
| RR ABANDONED | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 14,380 |
| WATER TEN MILE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,853 |
| RR MACRR | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 15,776 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 11,357 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 5,357 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,833 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 5,043 |
| WATER IPSWICH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 13,394 |
| WATER SQUANNACOOK RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 2,300 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 21,600 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,800 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 1,551 |
| WATER GREAT BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 15,387 |
| RR PVRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,500 |
| WATER N E UTILITIES CANL | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 5,431 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 9,000 |
| WATER MILLERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 1,810 |
| WATER PAWTUCKET CANAL | Massachusetts | Good | 1852 | 174 | 9,000 |
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.