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

I 495 SB

Fair

Over: ST 9 TURNPIKE RD

1.5 MI. N. OF I-90, Worcester, MA

Built 1964 Load: 36.9 t ADT: 41,411

HWY CAMBRIDGE ST

Fair

Over: RR CSX

1 MI W OF I-290, Worcester, MA

Built 1935 Load: 36.9 t ADT: 12,875

ST110 MACY ST

Fair

Over: WATER POWWOW RIVER

1 MI W I 95, Essex, MA

Built 1967 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 24,181

HWY DUNN RD

Fair

Over: WATER BR MILLERS RIVER

1.3 MI. N. OF ST-12, Worcester, MA

Built 1988 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 3,000

ST 1 A/CABOT ST

Fair

Over: WATER DANVERS RIVER

AT DANVERS RIVER, Essex, MA

Built 1996 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 48,600

HWY FRNT RD NB

Fair

Over: OTHER RELIEF

MASS AVE. INT., Suffolk, MA

Built 2000 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 49,913

ST 30 WB SERVCE RD

Fair

Over: COMB I 90 & CSX/MBTA

.4 MI W. INT 16 S14 B, Middlesex, MA

Built 1964 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 100

ST102 STATE LINE R

Fair

Over: I 90

.5 MI W. OF RTE 41 A3, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 2,191

US 90 RAMP D

Fair

Over: HWY NORUMBEGA RD

AT INT 14 L47, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 61,034

I 90 EB

Fair

Over: HWY RUSSELL STAGE RD

0.35 MI. N. OF RTE 23 C3, Hampden, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 30,141

HWY CENTRAL AVE

Fair

Over: WATER NEPONSET RIVER

AT RIV & MILTON LINE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1973 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 13,488

ST104 PLYMOUTH ST

Fair

Over: WATER TAUNTON RIVER

1 MI S EAST BRIDGEWATER, Plymouth, MA

Built 1993 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 22,370

I 90 EX 111 IN 12

Fair

Over: I 90

I 90 MM 111.2, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 15,847

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: ST135 WOOD ST

1-90 MM 104.9, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 35,652

ST 1 A/S MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER IPSWICH RIVER

.32 KM SE OF COUNTY RD, Essex, MA

Built 1764 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 26,250

HWY J APPLSD LN

Fair

Over: I 190

.6 MI S OF ST-2, Worcester, MA

Built 1977 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 500

I 495 NB ON RAMP

Fair

Over: I 495 & RAMP D

.5 MI N OF SOUTHBORO T.L., Middlesex, MA

Built 2000 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 4,963

US 1 NEWBRPRT TPK

Fair

Over: WATER PARKER RIVER

2.6 MI S MBTA, Essex, MA

Built 1972 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 8,478

HWY FLINT ST

Fair

Over: WATER NORTH RIVER CANAL

.4 MI SW. OF RT114, Essex, MA

Built 1998 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 12,900

HWY CEDAR ST

Fair

Over: I 90

027 (4MX), Worcester, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 526

I 495 SB

Fair

Over: ST225 CONCORD RD

@MM 81.7, Middlesex, MA

Built 1959 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 55,662

I 495 NB

Fair

Over: ST225 CONCORD RD

MM 81.7 OF 495 NB, Middlesex, MA

Built 1959 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 53,253

I 93

Fair

Over: HWY MONTVALE AVE

2 MI S RT 128, Middlesex, MA

Built 1958 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 208,231

HWY FRONTAGE RD

Fair

Over: I 190

.3 MI SO. OF WEST MTN ST., Worcester, MA

Built 1975 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 10,500

HWY STEVENS ST

Fair

Over: WATER SHAWSHEEN RIVER

.4 KM W. MAIN ST, Essex, MA

Built 1900 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 6,200

I 95 NB

Fair

Over: ST 1 A/NEWPORT AVE

I 95 AT ST1A, Bristol, MA

Built 1959 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 35,500

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: HWY RUSSELL STAGE RD

0.35 MI. N. OF RTE 23 C3, Hampden, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 30,141

I 93 /US1/ST3

Fair

Over: HWY CONLEY ST

6.6 KM S OF JCT I90&I93, Suffolk, MA

Built 1955 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 183,369

HWY RMP J (WASH)

Fair

Over: ST 3 SB CONNECTOR

ST 3 SB, Norfolk, MA

Built 1981 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 4,135

ST 99 NB/BROADWAY

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR/CSX

30 M S OF JCT SR16&SR99, Middlesex, MA

Built 1956 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 27,800

I 195

Fair

Over: HWY ALDEN RD

.5 MI W OF ST 240, Bristol, MA

Built 1972 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 78,103

ST111 PLEASANT ST

Fair

Over: OTHER DEM RAIL TRAIL

0.3 MI S OF ST-119, Middlesex, MA

Built 2002 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 5,142

I 90 EX 106 I 11A

Fair

Over: I 90

MM 106.2, Middlesex, MA

Built 1968 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 25,892

US 6 FALL RIV AVE

Fair

Over: WATER PALMER RIVER

.2 KM NW SWANSEA T.L., Bristol, MA

Built 1972 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 13,450

ST114 /WASHINGTON

Fair

Over: RR MBTA (TUNNEL)

DOWN TOWN SALEM, Essex, MA

Built 1955 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 32,000

HWY RUSSLVLLE RD

Fair

Over: WATER SACKET BROOK

NEAR WSTFLD/MONTGMRY T.L., Hampshire, MA

Built 1938 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 1,164

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/CSX

.3MI.EAST I495 L4, Worcester, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 61,456

HWY POND ST NRTH

Fair

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

AMTRAK RR MM 193.4, Bristol, MA

Built 1991 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 5,900

HWY DEPOT ST

Fair

Over: WATER CHARLES RIVER

.5 MI. N. W. OF ST. 126, Norfolk, MA

Built 1992 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 1,200

HWY ADAMS ST

Fair

Over: WATER NEPONSET RIVER

OVER NEPONSET RIV AT MILT, Suffolk, MA

Built 1765 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 31,000

ST 1 A

Fair

Over: HWY SARATGA ST & U TRN

1.7 KM N OF CALLAHAN TUN, Suffolk, MA

Built 1951 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 86,897

ST115 PLAIN ST

Fair

Over: RR BCRR

.1 MI. NE OF ST-109., Norfolk, MA

Built 2003 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 5,000

I 91 SB

Fair

Over: COMB I 91 RAMP & GWRR

MM 25.8 ON I-91 SB, Hampshire, MA

Built 1963 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 12,026

I 93 SB/US1SB

Fair

Over: ST 28 RANDOLPH RD

I 93 SB AT ST 28, Norfolk, MA

Built 1958 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 95,969

I 90 EB

Fair

Over: HWY DICKINSON HILL RD

0.1 MI. N. OF RTE 23 C4, Hampden, MA

Built 1957 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 30,141

HWY MAPLE SPRING

Fair

Over: ST 25

1.5 M E OF CHARGE PND RD, Plymouth, MA

Built 1980 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 9,100

HWY EAST ALFORD

Fair

Over: WATER WILLIAMS RIVER

.4MI W OF RT41 N OF COBB, Berkshire, MA

Built 1996 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 129

HWY LONGWOOD AVE

Fair

Over: WATER MUDDY RIVER

.8 KM N OF JCT SR9&JWAY, Suffolk, MA

Built 1897 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 26,121

ST 24

Fair

Over: HWY OAK ST

.3 MI.N OF ST 27, Plymouth, MA

Built 1955 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 118,909

HWY MENAUHANT RD

Fair

Over: WATER GREAT POND RIVER

500FT WEST OF BEACH ST, Barnstable, MA

Built 1984 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 5,000

Showing 1,951-2,000 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.