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 MONOOSNOC BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 9,700 |
| WATER SAWMILL RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,551 |
| WATER BAKER BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 6,270 |
| WATER WADING RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,422 |
| WATER ASSABET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 11,163 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 14,554 |
| WATER MYSTIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 10,600 |
| RR NECRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 517 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 13,000 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 7,800 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 5,560 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 51,270 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 3,600 |
| RR PWRR | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 14,986 |
| RR HRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 21,457 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 29,800 |
| WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 23,286 |
| WATER CATACUNEMAUG BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 8,180 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 4,503 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 900 |
| WATER SANDERSDALE CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 13,189 |
| WATER ELIZABETH BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 10 |
| WATER HOP BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 9,379 |
| WATER MUMFORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 12,888 |
| WATER BLACKSTONE RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1900 | 126 | 7,627 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 22,500 |
| WATER WEWEANTIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 9,300 |
| WATER FLAT BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 2,948 |
| RR MBTA/CSX | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 11,236 |
| WATER WHITMAN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 400 |
| RR PWRR/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 7,280 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 13,400 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Good | 1901 | 125 | 10,000 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Good | 1901 | 125 | 17,300 |
| WATER TROUT BROOK | Massachusetts | Good | 1901 | 125 | 14,224 |
| WATER KITCHEN BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 12,714 |
| WATER ACUSHNET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 32,200 |
| WATER ACUSHNET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 32,200 |
| COMB ACUS RIV/LOC ST/RR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 32,200 |
| WATER HIGHER BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 10,474 |
| RR AMTRAK/MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 3,500 |
| WATER SEGREGANSETT RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 18,362 |
| WATER COYS BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 10,500 |
| COMB AMTRAK & RED LINE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 33,800 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Poor | 1902 | 124 | 41,250 |
| WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 5,850 |
| WATER MATFIELD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 4,137 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 3,900 |
| RR MBTA/BMRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 1,160 |
| WATER ASSABET RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1902 | 124 | 4,400 |
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.