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 IPSWICH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1764 | 262 | 26,250 |
| WATER NEPONSET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1765 | 261 | 32,845 |
| WATER ASSONET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1822 | 204 | 14,094 |
| WATER MERRIMACK CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1823 | 203 | 18,000 |
| WATER PASKAMANSETT RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1826 | 200 | 9,957 |
| WATER WESTERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1831 | 195 | 17,900 |
| WATER IPSWICH RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1833 | 193 | 4,100 |
| WATER WESTERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1833 | 193 | 6,600 |
| WATER LWR PAWTUCKET CNL | Massachusetts | Good | 1835 | 191 | 12,184 |
| WATER EASTERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1835 | 191 | 16,900 |
| WATER IPSWICH RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1845 | 181 | 650 |
| RR HRR ABANDONED | Massachusetts | Fair | 1845 | 181 | 26,400 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1847 | 179 | 10,216 |
| RR GWRR | Massachusetts | Poor | 1847 | 179 | 26,700 |
| WATER NORTHERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1848 | 178 | 27,672 |
| WATER NORTHERN CANAL | Massachusetts | Poor | 1848 | 178 | — |
| WATER NEPONSET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1849 | 177 | 23,300 |
| WATER ACUSHNET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 16,422 |
| WATER POWWOW RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 12,700 |
| WATER MERRIMACK RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 16,700 |
| WATER POWWOW RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 3,500 |
| WATER SHAWSHEEN RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 13,319 |
| WATER MILLERS RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 8,663 |
| WATER TEN MILE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 1,071 |
| WATER SEVEN MILE RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 250 |
| WATER CONCORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 13,000 |
| WATER FORT POINT CHANNEL | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 17,100 |
| COMB I 90&CAMBRIA&CSX | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 17,844 |
| RR BCRR SPUR ABAN | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 23,405 |
| WATER TAUNTON RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 571 |
| WATER SALISBURY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 20,043 |
| WATER SALISBURY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 2,357 |
| TR GREEN LINE D | Massachusetts | Good | 1850 | 176 | 14,900 |
| WATER E BR NEPONSET RIV | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 28,200 |
| WATER STONY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 2,208 |
| WATER STONY BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 3,750 |
| WATER BOUND BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 388 |
| WATER WESTPORT RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 10,390 |
| WATER WESTPORT RIV SPL | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 10,390 |
| WATER SEGREGANSET RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 2,071 |
| WATER MUMFORD RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 300 |
| WATER CHARLES RIVER INLT | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 520 |
| WATER BEAVER BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 26,900 |
| WATER SATUCKET RIVER | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 2,143 |
| WATER SUCKER BROOK | Massachusetts | Poor | 1850 | 176 | 390 |
| WATER MINE BROOK | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 5,200 |
| WATER HODGKINS COVE | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 12,900 |
| RR MBTA | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 6,600 |
| WATER QUINSIGAMOND RIVER | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 15,384 |
| RR GWRR | Massachusetts | Fair | 1850 | 176 | 7,900 |
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.