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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR AMTRAK/MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 30,300 |
| HWY ROOSEVELT AVE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 20,690 |
| WATER WATERSHOPS POND | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,785 |
| WATER MUMFORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 1,949 |
| WATER MUMFORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1937 | 89 | 1,393 |
| WATER WEST RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 900 |
| WATER WARE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,267 |
| WATER WARE RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 12,634 |
| WATER N BR MILLERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 6,595 |
| WATER MILLERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 6,724 |
| WATER TATNUK BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 21,724 |
| WATER NASHOBA BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 7,200 |
| WATER HOOSIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1938 | 88 | 360 |
| WATER MYSTIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,302 |
| WATER WATATIC LAKE OUTLT | Massachusetts | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,786 |
| WATER WATATIC LAKE OUTLT | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 130 |
| WATER UPPR BR CLESSON BK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 388 |
| WATER SOUTH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 120 |
| WATER CREAMERY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,034 |
| RR GWRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 10,400 |
| WATER PRINCE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,567 |
| WATER PRINCE RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 3,100 |
| WATER PRINCE RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 259 |
| WATER PRINCE RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1938 | 88 | 3,644 |
| WATER PRINCE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 4,010 |
| WATER CANAL OVERFLOW | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 3,800 |
| WATER WARE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,455 |
| WATER BURNSHIRT RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,933 |
| WATER MTN PASTURE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 129 |
| WATER FOSKETT MILL STRM | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 11,800 |
| WATER CLESSON BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 2,451 |
| WATER CLESSON BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,845 |
| WATER CLESSON BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 120 |
| WATER PELHAM BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 600 |
| WATER MILL BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 4,555 |
| WATER ALBEE BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 154 |
| WATER HOOSIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,845 |
| WATER M BR WESTFIELD RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 129 |
| WATER HERRING BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 129 |
| WATER SMITH BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 259 |
| WATER CHAUNCEY BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 120 |
| WATER E BR NORTH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,200 |
| WATER NORTH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,552 |
| WATER TAYLOR BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 388 |
| WATER MEADOW BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 120 |
| MUDDY POND BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1938 | 88 | 20 |
| WATER BROAD COVE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 357 |
| WATER QUINEBAUG RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 7,817 |
| WATER MANHAN RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 6,850 |
| WATER BAKER BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 258 |
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.