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 N BR PARKWY

Fair

Over: WATER N BR MILL RIVER

.2 MI SW OF RTE 21, Hampden, MA

Built 1934 Load: 32.1 t ADT: 3,750

HWY TAUNTON ST

Fair

Over: I 495 SB

.8 MI. WEST OF U.S.1, Norfolk, MA

Built 1965 Load: 32.1 t ADT: 6,000

HWY MYRTLE ST

Fair

Over: WATER SUDBURY RIVER

.5 MI N OF ST-135, Middlesex, MA

Built 1924 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 7,000

HWY CLIFTON ST

Fair

Over: I 95

.2 MI.S OF I-295, Bristol, MA

Built 1960 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 2,500

I 93 NB

Fair

Over: I 93 SB BT 61 - B5

.5 MI N OF JCT 193&US1, Suffolk, MA

Built 1970 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 37,000

HWY FIELD ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/CSX

.1 MI E OF RTE 28, Plymouth, MA

Built 1894 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 15,517

HWY LWLL CONN NB

Fair

Over: I 495 RAMP B-11

0.16 KM W RT 495, Middlesex, MA

Built 1959 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 15,000

HWY SOUTH ST

Fair

Over: I 495 NB

.8 MI NW OF I 95, Norfolk, MA

Built 1965 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 2,700

HWY WALKER ST

Fair

Over: RR BMRR

0.40 KM SE WALKER & BRDWY, Middlesex, MA

Built 1910 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 4,028

HWY E MERRIMACK

Fair

Over: WATER CONCORD RIVER

AT CONCORD RIVER, Middlesex, MA

Built 1896 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 14,250

I 295 SB

Fair

Over: HWY PAINE RD

.7 MI SE OF R.I.S.L., Bristol, MA

Built 1966 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 22,142

HWY DIMMOCK ST

Fair

Over: TR RED LINE SSH

330 FT SW OF HANCOCK ST, Norfolk, MA

Built 1971 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 3,000

US 1 SB/BROADWAY

Fair

Over: ST 99 NB CONN

1.5 MI N OF JCT SR60&US1, Essex, MA

Built 1975 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 41,000

HWY RIVER RD

Fair

Over: I 84 EB

2.5 MI. S OF PIKE TOLL, Worcester, MA

Built 1970 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 1,681

HWY GLEN CHRL RD

Fair

Over: ST 25

0.2 M N OF RTE 6 & 28 WB, Plymouth, MA

Built 1980 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 6,358

I 195 EB OFF RMP

Fair

Over: I 495

AT 195 / 495: TO 495 NB, Plymouth, MA

Built 1967 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 4,267

I 90 EXIT 41 RAMP

Fair

Over: I 90

MM 40.5 ON I-90, Hampden, MA

Built 1957 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 47,522

ST 30 SOUTH AVE

Fair

Over: I 95 /ST128

RT 30 AT RT 128, Middlesex, MA

Built 1962 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 32,600

US 20 WB

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

0.1 MI WLY RT 128, Middlesex, MA

Built 1960 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 20,900

ST 88 NB

Fair

Over: I 195

.6 MI N OF US 6, Bristol, MA

Built 1964 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 8,293

US 7 /ST2/CLD SPR

Fair

Over: WATER HEMLOCK BROOK

1.3 MI N OF TACONIC TRAIL, Berkshire, MA

Built 1924 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 7,055

ST 43 GREEN RIV RD

Fair

Over: WATER GREEN RIVER

0.2M SW SCOTT HILL ROAD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1930 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 2,326

HWY W YARMTH RD

Fair

Over: US 6 EB/MID CAPE HWY

1.5 M E OF WILLOW ST, Barnstable, MA

Built 1969 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 3,500

HWY W YARMTH RD

Fair

Over: US 6 WB/MID CAPE HWY

1.5 M E OF WILLOW ST, Barnstable, MA

Built 1969 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 3,500

HWY CURTIS ST

Fair

Over: RR CSX

.16 KM NW OF SR 1A, Suffolk, MA

Built 1906 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 12,413

HWY SARATOGA ST

Fair

Over: HWY MARTIN COUGHLIN BY

.8 KM SW OF SUFFOLK DOWNS, Suffolk, MA

Built 1906 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 12,026

HWY DANA AVE

Fair

Over: RR MBTA

1.3 KM W OF SR138/NEP.PKW, Suffolk, MA

Built 1908 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 10,600

HWY W THIRD ST

Fair

Over: COMB HAUL RD & CSX

.8 KM SW OF D ST OFFICE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1918 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 1,900

HWY HERRING RD

Fair

Over: WATER HERRING BROOK

200 E. OF EAST RIVER RD, Hampden, MA

Built 1938 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 129

HWY SUDBURY RD

Fair

Over: WATER SUDBURY RIVER

.8 KM SW OF RTE 2, Middlesex, MA

Built 1967 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 13,000

HWY NASH RD

Fair

Over: WATER MEADOW BROOK

150 W OF INT W/LILAC AVE, Hampshire, MA

Built 1940 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 129

US 6 (EAST BRG)

Fair

Over: WATER ACUSHNET RIVER

AT NEW BEDFORD CITY LINE, Bristol, MA

Built 1901 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 32,200

I 195

Fair

Over: ST 81 PLYMOUTH AVE

1.2 MI E OF SOMERSETTL, Bristol, MA

Built 1964 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 86,662

I 495 SB

Fair

Over: HWY STOW RD

3 MI NE ST-117, Worcester, MA

Built 1963 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 45,362

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: COMB US20 & HOUSATNC R

AT MILE MARKER 10.3 A15, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 10,023

ST103 WILBUR AVE

Fair

Over: I 195

.4 MI FROM SWANSEA T.L., Bristol, MA

Built 1960 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 27,200

I 93 ST38 SB RMP

Fair

Over: HWY CONNECTOR RAMP D&K

.16 KM S OF JCT SR28&ST38, Middlesex, MA

Built 1973 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 21,400

ST 9 TURNPIKE RD

Fair

Over: WATER ASSABET RIVER

.3MI. W. OF ST-135, Worcester, MA

Built 1930 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 51,882

I 290 WB

Fair

Over: RR PWRR

.2 MI EAST OF HOPE AVE, Worcester, MA

Built 1966 Load: 32.3 t ADT: 42,976

ST116 WEST ST

Fair

Over: WATER FORT RIVER

AT EAST HADLEY ROAD, Hampshire, MA

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,808

ST 32 CHSTNT HL AV

Fair

Over: RR GWRR

100 N JCT ST 2A & ST 32, Worcester, MA

Built 1995 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,000

ST 2

Fair

Over: WATER LAKE ELLIS

MM 74.7 ON RT 2, Worcester, MA

Built 1954 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 14,910

I 95 SB

Fair

Over: US 1 WASHINGTON ST

I 95 AT US 1, Bristol, MA

Built 1959 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 43,262

I 90 EB

Fair

Over: I 290

I-90 MM 90.5, Worcester, MA

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 49,080

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: I 290

STA. 230 + 00, Worcester, MA

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 21,797

I 90

Fair

Over: WATER DARK BROOK

MM90.8 .1M E OF SBRDG ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1957 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 93,785

ST126 HARTFORD AVE

Fair

Over: I 495 NB

1MI.S.MEDWAY TWN LN, Norfolk, MA

Built 1966 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 17,513

HWY PLEASANT ST

Fair

Over: WATER NORTH BROOK

0.2 MI. S. OF SOUTH ST., Worcester, MA

Built 1933 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,064

I 91 SB

Fair

Over: HWY RIVER ST

MM 49.7 ON I-91 SB, Franklin, MA

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,562

HWY ELM ST

Fair

Over: WATER MILL RIVER

1 M SE OF BLACKSTONE ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1880 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,900

Showing 1,151-1,200 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.