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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST 62 ELLIOT ST | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 72,449 |
| WATER N BR MANHAN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,200 |
| WATER KEYUP BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 905 |
| WATER EEL POND | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 6,750 |
| WATER DRY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,552 |
| WATER STONY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 8,000 |
| WATER HARTS BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 8,793 |
| WATER WARE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 7,500 |
| WATER QUAB RS S BAF DAM | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 259 |
| WATER CHICKLEY RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER BOZRAH BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 150 |
| WATER MILL BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER DAVENPORT BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 120 |
| WATER DAVENPORT BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 120 |
| WATER BURNSHIRT RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | 1,099 |
| WATER SYKES BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,800 |
| WATER WESTFIELD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 3,245 |
| WATER DOOLITTLE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER BEAVER MEADOW BRK | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | 259 |
| HWY WALNUT ST | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 61,300 |
| HWY WALNUT ST | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 68,900 |
| HWY SUMMER ST | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 55,400 |
| HWY SUMMER ST | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 55,400 |
| WATER SAUGUS RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 119,800 |
| WATER QUABOAG STREAM | Massachusetts | Poor | 1940 | 86 | — |
| WATER QUABOAG STREAM | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 388 |
| WATER KONKAPOT RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | 1,286 |
| WATER QUABBIN RES | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | — |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 100 |
| WATER ASSABET RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 1,899 |
| WATER MILL BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER LAWRENCE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 715 |
| WATER ROSS BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER MCKINSTRY BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 517 |
| WATER MILL BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 647 |
| WATER N BR MANHAN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 6,336 |
| WATER WINDSOR JAMBS BRK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER WESTFIELD RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1940 | 86 | 129 |
| WATER TOPHET BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 6,857 |
| WATER BOWERS BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 4,820 |
| COMB CSX/WESTFLD/PLSNT | Massachusetts | Poor | 1941 | 85 | 900 |
| ST 9 HUNTINGTON AVE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 23,275 |
| OTHER PEAT BOG | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 19,500 |
| WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 7,198 |
| WATER PORTER RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 73,898 |
| RR MACRR (OTIS SPURR) | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 12,672 |
| RR MACRR (OTIS SPUR) | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 40,345 |
| WATER FALL BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 6,724 |
| WATER BATCHELOR BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1941 | 85 | 200 |
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.