Massachusetts has 5,311 bridges on public roads, according to the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. Of those, 501 are rated in poor condition — a rate of 9.4% — 40% above the national average of 6.7%. Another 3,519 are in fair condition, while 1,291 are in good condition.
Use the interactive Massachusetts bridge map below to explore every bridge, color-coded by condition. Click any cluster to zoom in, then click an individual bridge for its route, structural ratings, year built, daily traffic, and last inspection date. Filter by condition using the checkboxes, or switch to satellite view to see bridges from above. For a national comparison, see the full US bridges interactive map.
Massachusetts Bridge Conditions by the Numbers
- 5,311 total bridges on public roads in Massachusetts
- 501 in poor condition (9.4%) — above the national average of 6.7%
- 3,519 in fair condition (66.3%)
- 1,291 in good condition (24.3%)
- Oldest bridge in the inventory: ST 1 A/S MAIN ST, built 1764
Oldest Bridges in Massachusetts
The oldest bridges in Massachusetts date back to the 1760s. The ten oldest Massachusetts bridges still in the national inventory:
| Route / Facility | Crosses | Year Built | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST 1 A/S MAIN ST | WATER IPSWICH RIVER | 1764 | Fair |
| HWY ADAMS ST | WATER NEPONSET RIVER | 1765 | Fair |
| ST 79 ELM ST | WATER ASSONET RIVER | 1822 | Fair |
| HWY MERRIMACK ST | WATER MERRIMACK CANAL | 1823 | Fair |
| HWY RUSSELLS MIL | WATER PASKAMANSETT RIVER | 1826 | Fair |
| HWY MERRIMACK ST | WATER WESTERN CANAL | 1831 | Fair |
| HWY HIGHLAND ST | WATER IPSWICH RIVER | 1833 | Fair |
| HWY BROADWAY | WATER WESTERN CANAL | 1833 | Fair |
| HWY CENTRAL ST | WATER LWR PAWTUCKET CNL | 1835 | Good |
| HWY KEARNEY SQ | WATER EASTERN CANAL | 1835 | Fair |
Most Concerning Massachusetts Bridges: Poor Condition and High Traffic
The bridges of greatest concern combine a poor structural rating with high daily traffic loads. These Massachusetts bridges carry the most vehicles per day while rated in poor condition:
| Route / Facility | Crosses | Daily Traffic | Year Built | Deck | Superstructure | Substructure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST 3 | HWY UNION ST N ROTARY | 204,310 vehicles/day | 1957 | Satisfactory (6) | Poor (4) | Satisfactory (6) |
| I 93 | I 95 /ST128 | 200,824 vehicles/day | 1957 | Poor (4) | Fair (5) | Poor (4) |
| I 95 /ST128 | RR MBTA/BMRR | 192,672 vehicles/day | 1950 | Poor (4) | Poor (4) | Poor (4) |
| I 93 | ST 16 MYST VAL PKY | 182,420 vehicles/day | 1960 | Good (7) | Good (7) | Poor (4) |
| I 95 ST128 | HWY QUINOBEQUIN RD | 142,579 vehicles/day | 1950 | Fair (5) | Poor (4) | Satisfactory (6) |
How Massachusetts Bridge Conditions Are Assessed
Bridge condition in the NBI is determined by ratings of three structural components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — on a scale of 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). A bridge is classified as good when all three components score 7 or above. It is classified as poor when any component scores 4 or below. Ratings of 5 or 6 on any component with no component below 5 result in a fair classification. MassDOT coordinates inspections across Massachusetts in line with FHWA standards, with most bridges inspected on a 24-month cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bridges in Massachusetts are in poor condition?
501 of Massachusetts’s 5,311 bridges are currently rated in poor condition by the FHWA National Bridge Inventory, a rate of 9.4%.
What is the oldest bridge in
The oldest bridge recorded in Massachusetts’s NBI inventory is ST 1 A/S MAIN ST, built in 1764.
What does a poor bridge rating mean?
A poor rating means at least one of a bridge’s three key structural components — deck, superstructure, or substructure — has been rated 4 or below on the NBI 0-9 scale. A rating of 4 is defined as “poor condition,” and ratings of 3, 2, 1, or 0 indicate increasingly serious deterioration. Poor-rated bridges are not necessarily unsafe or closed, but they require priority attention and monitoring.
View all 624,000+ US bridges on the national interactive map
Compare with neighboring states: Connecticut bridges map | New Hampshire bridges map | New York bridges map | Rhode Island bridges map | Vermont bridges map
