State profile · Near median Poor share

Massachusetts bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Massachusetts.

5,295
Public bridges
25.1%
Good condition
8.9%
Poor condition

Massachusetts holds 5,295 public highway bridges (#35 of 52 by inventory) with a 8.88% Poor share (#14 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 8.9% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 39 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

5,295

Public highway bridges in Massachusetts

Good Condition

25.1%

1,331 bridges rated 7-9

-24.9pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

8.9%

470 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

1.4pp vs national avg 7.5%

Massachusetts vs national bridge condition

Massachusetts - Good condition share 25.1%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Massachusetts - Poor-condition share 29.6%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Massachusetts in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Massachusetts has 5,295 bridges and a 8.9% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #39 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Massachusetts has 5,295 bridges and a 8.9% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #39 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Massachusetts vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

5,295 35th of 54 higher than 19 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Massachusetts

The highlighted point is Massachusetts: 5,295 bridges and 8.88% in Poor condition, rank #39 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Massachusetts on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Alaska: 1,685 bridges · 7.89% Poor
  • Nebraska: 15,398 bridges · 7.90% Poor
  • Massachusetts: 5,295 bridges · 8.88% Poor
  • Missouri: 24,618 bridges · 8.95% Poor
  • Illinois: 26,928 bridges · 9.35% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Massachusetts

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 5,295 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Massachusetts’s inventory

State agency holds 67.9% of the 5,295 public highway bridges filed under Massachusetts in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Massachusetts’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 26.1% of the 5,295 bridges with a recorded original year in Massachusetts. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Massachusetts25.1%66%8.9%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Massachusetts (FHWA NBI)

Counties (14)

Barnstable 107 Berkshire 450 Bristol 384 Dukes 5 Essex 395 Franklin 314 Hampden 428 Hampshire 259 Middlesex 818 Nantucket 2 Norfolk 343 Plymouth 287 Suffolk 489 Worcester 1014

Massachusetts vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Massachusetts on the same metric.

AK

Alaska

7.89% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$1,685

NE

Nebraska

7.90% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$15,398
Selected

MA

Massachusetts

8.88% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,295

MO

Missouri

8.95% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$24,618

IL

Illinois

9.35% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$26,928

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Massachusetts

Six lowest-condition bridges in Massachusetts, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

HWY PINEDALE AVE

Poor

Over: WATER E BR TULLY RIVER

ATHOL/ORANGE TOWN LINE, Worcester, MA

Built 1937 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 1,293

US 20 EB/WSHNGTN

Poor

Over: I 395

.3 MI S OF I-90, Worcester, MA

Built 1965 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 10,144

HWY BRIDGE ST

Poor

Over: WATER BASS RIVER

.1 MILE WEST OF RIVER ST, Essex, MA

Built 1929 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 21,300

HWY RIVER ST

Poor

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

.8 KM SW OF MATTAPAN SQ., Suffolk, MA

Built 1883 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 24,000

HWY DORCHSTR AVE

Poor

Over: COMB MBTA & RED LN

OVER RED LINE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1924 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 11,800

HWY STORRW DR WB

Poor

Over: HWY STORROW DR EB

.1 N OF BEACON ST, Suffolk, MA

Built 1951 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 57,770

All Bridges in Massachusetts

HWY ARLNGTN OFRP

Fair

Over: HWY EMBNKT RD EB ONRMP

AT TUNNEL, Suffolk, MA

Built 1950 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 24,000

HWY E OXBOW RD

Fair

Over: WATER OXBOW BROOK

AT HAWK HILL ROAD, Franklin, MA

Built 1940 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 647

I 91 SB

Fair

Over: I 91 RMP A TPK CONN

MM 11.5 ON I-91 SB, Hampden, MA

Built 1967 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 37,102

HWY MASKWONICUT

Fair

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

MASKWONICUT/RR AMTRAK/MBT, Norfolk, MA

Built 1901 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 3,500

I 93

Fair

Over: ST 28 & ST38 & TEMPLE ST

3.2 KM N OF JCT I-93&US-1, Middlesex, MA

Built 1973 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 143,941

HWY STATE ST

Fair

Over: HWY ROOSEVELT AVE

.2 MI NW OF WILBRAHAM RD, Hampden, MA

Built 1937 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 20,690

HWY GLENDALE MDL

Fair

Over: WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER

300 E OF JCT W/ RTE 183, Berkshire, MA

Built 1978 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 1,940

ST 62 GLEASNDLE RD

Fair

Over: WATER ASSABET RIVER

0.4 MI N OF HUDSON TL, Middlesex, MA

Built 1947 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 4,695

HWY OAK ST

Fair

Over: TR AMESBURY RIVERWALK

0.15 M W OF ELM ST, Essex, MA

Built 1949 Load: 2.8 t ADT: 1,000

HWY LOCKHOUSE RD

Fair

Over: RR PVRR

.2 M N JCT US 202, Hampden, MA

Built 1923 Load: 3.4 t ADT: 1,200

HWY MAIN ST

Fair

Over: RR GWRR

.3 MI E JCT ST5 & N MN, Franklin, MA

Built 1903 Load: 4.1 t ADT: 4,008

HWY PIERCEVLE RD

Fair

Over: RR MACRR

.6 MI E OF COUNTY RD, Plymouth, MA

Built 1887 Load: 4.6 t ADT: 390

HWY CAMPGROUND R

Fair

Over: WATER BEAMAN BROOK

.5 MI NW RT 202 GRAVES AV, Worcester, MA

Built 1957 Load: 5.2 t ADT: 388

HWY PITAS AVE

Fair

Over: WATER SEVEN MILE RIVER

.3 MI E OF NEWPRT AV 1 A, Bristol, MA

Built 1850 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 500

US202 /ST10/SHMPTN

Fair

Over: I 90

MM 40.7 ON I-90, Hampden, MA

Built 1957 Load: 7.6 t ADT: 21,800

HWY SANBORN ST

Fair

Over: WATER PHILLIPS BROOK

0.1 MI S OF ST-12, Worcester, MA

Built 1931 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 300

HWY BUTTERS ROW

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

0.1 MI W RT 38, Middlesex, MA

Built 1920 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 1,950

HWY MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER MERRIMACK RIVER

AT MERRIMACK RIVER, Essex, MA

Built 1850 Load: 8.4 t ADT: 16,700

HWY GRANITE AVE

Fair

Over: WATER NEPONSET RIVER

MILTON TOWN LINE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1959 Load: 8.8 t ADT: 39,339

HWY BARKER RD

Fair

Over: WATER SW BR HOUSATONIC R

.25 MI SW OF RTE 20, Berkshire, MA

Built 1946 Load: 8.8 t ADT: 5,571

HWY ORCHARD ST

Fair

Over: ST 24

.3M NW OF ST 44, Bristol, MA

Built 1952 Load: 8.8 t ADT: 10,345

HWY BEECH PLAIN

Fair

Over: WATER CLAM RIVER

@ RTE 57 INTERSECTION, Berkshire, MA

Built 1936 Load: 8.8 t ADT: 258

HWY COMMNWLTH AV

Fair

Over: WATER FORT POND BROOK

.2 MI NW OF RTE 62, Middlesex, MA

Built 1909 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 10,381

ST 10 NORTHFLD RD

Fair

Over: RR GWRR

.2 M W JCT TURNERS FLS RD, Franklin, MA

Built 1967 Load: 9.3 t ADT: 9,337

HWY LAUREL LK RD

Fair

Over: WATER KEYUP BROOK

ENTRANCE ERVING ST. PARK, Franklin, MA

Built 1994 Load: 9.3 t ADT: 100

HWY ACCESS GT 43

Fair

Over: WATER QUAB RS S BAF DAM

14 MI W OF ALT RTE 32, Worcester, MA

Built 1940 Load: 9.5 t ADT: 259

HWY POMEROY AVE

Fair

Over: WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER

.1 MI NW OF HOLMES RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1949 Load: 9.5 t ADT: 2,500

US 1 NE XWAY

Fair

Over: ST 16 REVERE BCH PKWY

1.7 MI S OF JCT SR60&US1, Suffolk, MA

Built 1955 Load: 9.5 t ADT: 86,518

HWY MERRIAM ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

0.48 KM S RT 117, Middlesex, MA

Built 1928 Load: 9.5 t ADT: 2,716

HWY ST PAUL ST

Fair

Over: WATER BLACKSTONE RIVER

@ INT WITH 122 & ST PAUL, Worcester, MA

Built 1958 Load: 9.9 t ADT: 7,772

HWY GREEN ST

Fair

Over: WATER TAUNTON RIVER

1.1 MI W OF ST 18, Plymouth, MA

Built 1922 Load: 10.2 t ADT: 2,142

HWY COOK ST

Fair

Over: WATER HOOSIC RIVER

BETW RT8&ANTHONY ST, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 10.5 t ADT: 2,700

ST 31 ASHBY RD

Fair

Over: WATER FALLULAH BROOK

500 FT N OF J. FITCH HWY, Worcester, MA

Built 1904 Load: 10.5 t ADT: 7,590

ST 8 MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R

AT DEPOT ST INTERSECTION, Berkshire, MA

Built 1902 Load: 10.6 t ADT: 5,850

HWY AMES AVE

Fair

Over: WATER HITHER CREEK

.1 MI NW OF MADAKET RD, Nantucket, MA

Built 1946 Load: 10.9 t ADT: 388

HWY BROOKS CROSS

Fair

Over: WATER MASON BROOK

1500 FT S OF NH S.L., Middlesex, MA

Built 1986 Load: 11.0 t ADT: 120

HWY BRIER RD

Fair

Over: WATER BLACK BROOK

S OF RT2&E OF BLK BRK RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1938 Load: 11.1 t ADT: 129

HWY GLEN AVE

Fair

Over: WATER WEST RIVER

200 FT.SOUTH OF ST.140, Worcester, MA

Built 1937 Load: 11.5 t ADT: 900

HWY AUSTIN ST

Fair

Over: COMB I 93 RMP&MBTA&ORNG

.1 M. W OF RUTHERFORD ST, Suffolk, MA

Built 1974 Load: 11.6 t ADT: 39,400

HWY CLD SPRNG RD

Fair

Over: WATER MINER BROOK

W OF RT8 NR SNDSFD&TOLLND, Berkshire, MA

Built 1938 Load: 11.6 t ADT: 129

HWY LOGAN TRM B

Fair

Over: HWY LOGAN TRM B ARIV E

TERM B DEP EXIT/ARIV EXIT, Suffolk, MA

Built 1979 Load: 11.7 t ADT: 1,000

US 7 SOUTH ST

Fair

Over: RR HRR

@ ICE GLEN RD - HRR 69.66, Berkshire, MA

Built 1909 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 12,420

HWY FARLEY RD

Fair

Over: WATER MILLERS RIVER

600 E OF RT 2, Franklin, MA

Built 1889 Load: 12.0 t ADT: 140

HWY MASSASOIT RD

Fair

Over: WATER LONG POND

.3 MI S OF MADAKET RD, Nantucket, MA

Built 1981 Load: 12.1 t ADT: 517

HWY WHEELER RD

Fair

Over: WATER ELIZABETH BROOK

.5 MILES SOUTH OF ST -117, Middlesex, MA

Built 1969 Load: 12.2 t ADT: 800

OTHER REMOVED

Fair

Over: HWY LOGAN TRM B ARIV E

TERM B DEP ENT/ARIV ENT, Suffolk, MA

Built 1979 Load: 12.3 t ADT: 1,000

HWY JACKSON ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

0.16 KM S CENTRAL ST, Middlesex, MA

Built 1934 Load: 12.3 t ADT: 2,100

HWY ROWLEY BRG R

Fair

Over: WATER IPSWICH RIVER

.5 MI EAST OF I 95, Essex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 12.5 t ADT: 1,160

HWY FOX RD

Fair

Over: WATER N BR SILVER BROOK

.3MI S OF SILVERBROOK RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1939 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 129

HWY GLENDALE MDL

Fair

Over: WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER

AT INT. W/ W.MAIN&CHERRY, Berkshire, MA

Built 1928 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 4,190

Showing 1-50 of 5,295 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What to do with this

Use Massachusetts's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Massachusetts and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Massachusetts Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.