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 HOUSATONIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1890 | 136 | 6,200 |
| COMB MBTA/BMRR & ORANGE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1890 | 136 | 3,000 |
| OTHER NORTHAMPTON BK WAY | Massachusetts | Fair | 1890 | 136 | 7,500 |
| RR MACRR | Massachusetts | Good | 1890 | 136 | 1,857 |
| RR CSX/MBTA | Massachusetts | Good | 1890 | 136 | 2,300 |
| WATER ABERJONA RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1890 | 136 | 10,600 |
| RR PCRR (ABANDONED) | Massachusetts | Poor | 1890 | 136 | 8,078 |
| COMB STRW DR & CHAS RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1891 | 135 | 38,638 |
| COMB CONN RIV & PVRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1891 | 135 | 18,700 |
| OTHER LITTLE RIVER CUL | Massachusetts | Good | 1891 | 135 | 4,500 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1891 | 135 | 1,200 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Poor | 1891 | 135 | 1,300 |
| WATER FRENCH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1891 | 135 | 2,000 |
| WATER RESERVE CHANNEL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1892 | 134 | 24,052 |
| WATER MUDDY RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1892 | 134 | 2,100 |
| WATER SCARBOROUGH POND | Massachusetts | Fair | 1892 | 134 | 130 |
| COMB MBTA/BMRR & DRIVE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1892 | 134 | 9,500 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1892 | 134 | 6,541 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1893 | 133 | 20,300 |
| COMB FNDRY ST&MBTA&AMTK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1893 | 133 | 14,700 |
| WATER FORGE POND | Massachusetts | Fair | 1893 | 133 | 24,500 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1893 | 133 | 9,681 |
| HWY CEMETERY RD | Massachusetts | Fair | 1894 | 132 | 16,034 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1894 | 132 | 4,655 |
| WATER INDIAN HEAD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1894 | 132 | 8,017 |
| WATER THIRD LEVEL CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1894 | 132 | 24,568 |
| WATER IPSWICH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1894 | 132 | 1,800 |
| WATER MILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1894 | 132 | 2,400 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1895 | 131 | 6,724 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1895 | 131 | 11,120 |
| WATER QUEQUECHAN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1895 | 131 | 26,767 |
| WATER STONEY BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1895 | 131 | 11,137 |
| WATER JONES RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1895 | 131 | 33,491 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1895 | 131 | 1,300 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1895 | 131 | 23,000 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1895 | 131 | 10,090 |
| WATER SUDBURY RESERVOIR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1895 | 131 | 11,137 |
| RR CSX/MBTA | Massachusetts | Good | 1895 | 131 | 8,800 |
| OTHER SHINING SEA BIKEWY | Massachusetts | Good | 1896 | 130 | 4,655 |
| WATER CONCORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1896 | 130 | 14,250 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1896 | 130 | 8,300 |
| OTHER COCHITUATE RAIL TR | Massachusetts | Good | 1896 | 130 | 1,552 |
| WATER ABERJONA RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1896 | 130 | 6,206 |
| WATER MUDDY RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1897 | 129 | 14,700 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1897 | 129 | 15,435 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1897 | 129 | 1,810 |
| RR (ABANDONED) | Massachusetts | Good | 1897 | 129 | 2,357 |
| WATER NORTHERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1897 | 129 | 11,800 |
| RR GWRR & NECRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1897 | 129 | 2,500 |
| WATER TOWN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1897 | 129 | 20,043 |
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.