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 MYSTIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 33,900 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 766 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Poor | 1906 | 120 | 24,569 |
| WATER FORT POND BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 12,700 |
| WATER DANVERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 4,728 |
| WATER DANVERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 4,728 |
| WATER NEPONSET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 16,600 |
| OTHER PEDESTRIAN WLKWY | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 4,300 |
| WATER LANCASTER POND | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 5 |
| RR PWRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 5,509 |
| OTHER CLIPR RAIL TRAIL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 14,930 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 7,500 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 3,000 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 4,267 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 13,600 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 3,500 |
| WATER PEARL HILL BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 8,542 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 18,491 |
| WATER ALEWIFE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 26,000 |
| WATER WILLARD BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 4,671 |
| WATER NEPONSET RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1908 | 118 | 11,900 |
| OTHER PEDESTRIAN WLKWY | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 6,300 |
| OTHER PEDESTRIAN WLKWY | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 7,900 |
| COMB WALNUT ST & MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 14,483 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 10,600 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1908 | 118 | 3,800 |
| RR PWRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 2,104 |
| WATER MYSTIC RIVER | Massachusetts | Good | 1908 | 118 | 67,900 |
| WATER TOWN BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 8,357 |
| WATER WILLARD BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 2,342 |
| WATER WILLARD BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 2,342 |
| WATER WILLARD BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 2,342 |
| RR BMRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1908 | 118 | 150 |
| WATER BEAVER BRK/SEWER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 7,831 |
| WATER MERRIMACK RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 19,271 |
| WATER FORT POND BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 10,381 |
| WATER SUDBURY RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 17,100 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 23,017 |
| WATER N NASHUA RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1909 | 117 | 3,100 |
| WATER FALLULAH BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 500 |
| WATER FIRST LEVEL CANAL | Massachusetts | Good | 1909 | 117 | 6,724 |
| RR NECRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1909 | 117 | 646 |
| WATER MOSS BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 3,651 |
| RR CSX | Massachusetts | Good | 1909 | 117 | 1,600 |
| RR HRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1909 | 117 | 12,420 |
| WATER BEAVER BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 1,450 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 27,554 |
| WATER SALISBURY PLAIN R | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 21,500 |
| WATER E BR NEPONSET RIV | Massachusetts | Poor | 1910 | 116 | 905 |
| WATER W BR WESTFIELD RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1910 | 116 | 388 |
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.