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 | 1898 | 128 | 4,300 |
| WATER MOTHER BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1898 | 128 | 6,466 |
| WATER MUDDY RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1898 | 128 | 10,862 |
| WATER BLACKSTONE CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1898 | 128 | 4,452 |
| WATER LAUNDRY BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1898 | 128 | 388 |
| WATER FOREST RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1898 | 128 | 27,100 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1898 | 128 | 2,100 |
| WATER FORT POINT CHANNEL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 28,319 |
| COMB MBTA & ACCESS RD | Massachusetts | Good | 1899 | 127 | 13,700 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 22,200 |
| COMB BMRR & NASHUA RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 7,187 |
| RR BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 3,462 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 19,237 |
| COMB MBTA/BMRR & ORANGE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 5,904 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1899 | 127 | 5,286 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Good | 1899 | 127 | 51,500 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1899 | 127 | 14,000 |
| WATER FORT POND BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 9,069 |
| WATER SHAWSHEEN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 4,691 |
| WATER SHAWSHEEN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 6,200 |
| COMB MINUTMN BP & BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 18,500 |
| WATER CLESSON BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 3,376 |
| WATER SUDBURY RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 11,481 |
| WATER NORTH BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,422 |
| OTHER WAREHOUSE | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 36,206 |
| HWY WATER ST | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 36,206 |
| WATER MUDDY RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 8,300 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 2,600 |
| WATER W BR WESTFIELD RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 143 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 780 |
| MILLER RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| OTHER MANHAN RAIL TRAIL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 13,488 |
| WATER GREEN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 388 |
| WATER ACUSHNET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 32,200 |
| RR MACRR | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 4,138 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 2,800 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 550 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 9,756 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 3,500 |
| COMB BOULDER DR & BMRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 16,708 |
| WATER BAKER BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 4,267 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 9,376 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 2,850 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,000 |
| WATER WILLIAMS RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 5,172 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 5,948 |
| RR PWRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20,712 |
| WATER M BR WESTFIELD RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,100 |
| WATER SPICKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 12,808 |
| WATER MONOOSNOC BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20,557 |
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.