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 THORNDIKE ST

Fair

Over: WATER PAWTUCKET CANAL

AT PAWTUCKET & WESTERN CA, Middlesex, MA

Built 1986 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 30,000

HWY BANKS PLACE

Fair

Over: WATER SPOT POND BROOK

.1 MILE WEST OF MAIN ST., Middlesex, MA

Built 1959 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 3,200

HWY HARVARD ST

Fair

Over: COMB I 90 & CSX/MBTA

.8 KM S. CHARLES RV S24, Middlesex, MA

Built 1964 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 3,879

ST 9 W MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER SEVEN MILE RIVER

O.1 MI. EAST OF ST-49, Worcester, MA

Built 1911 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 25,000

HWY W MEADOW RD

Fair

Over: WATER WILLARD BROOK

0.1 MI N OF ST-119, Middlesex, MA

Built 1996 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 500

I 195 EB

Fair

Over: HWY MAIN ST

3.6 M E OF RTE 105, Plymouth, MA

Built 1970 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 23,793

HWY ARSENAL ST

Fair

Over: WATER CHARLES RIVER

CITY LINE WAT BOS, Suffolk, MA

Built 1925 Load: 38.3 t ADT: 34,009

I 190 NB

Fair

Over: ST117 N MAIN ST

MM 16.8/EXIT 17, Worcester, MA

Built 1977 Load: 38.3 t ADT: 19,428

HWY FELLSWAY WST

Fair

Over: I 93

1.0 KM N OF JCT SR60, Middlesex, MA

Built 1962 Load: 38.3 t ADT: 14,000

HWY BLKSTN RVR R

Fair

Over: WATER BLACKSTONE RIVER

500 FT W TOBIAS BOLLD WAY, Worcester, MA

Built 2001 Load: 38.3 t ADT: 3,734

HWY BRN MWR AVE

Fair

Over: I 90

I-90 MM 89.7, Worcester, MA

Built 1957 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 1,744

HWY BOURNEDAL RD

Fair

Over: ST 25

1.4 M N OF BOURNE BRIDGE, Barnstable, MA

Built 1987 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 3,621

HWY LAND BLVD

Fair

Over: WATER LECHMERE CANAL

500 FT W OF JCT SR 28, Middlesex, MA

Built 1986 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 41,120

HWY QUEQUECHAN

Fair

Over: WATER QUEQUECHAN RIVER

BTWN I195 & QUARRY ST, Bristol, MA

Built 1895 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 21,983

HWY SALEM END RD

Fair

Over: WATER STEARNS RESERVOIR

.75 MI SE OF RTE 9, Middlesex, MA

Built 1870 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 15,625

HWY UNION ST

Fair

Over: RR PWRR

0.6 MI E OF ST-68, Worcester, MA

Built 1908 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 2,104

I 91 SB

Fair

Over: ST 2 EB ROTARY

MM 43.0 ON I-91 SB, Franklin, MA

Built 1965 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 8,227

HWY CHURCH ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/CSX

MP QNB 17.0, Bristol, MA

Built 1987 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 2,715

ST 1 A/N SHORE RD

Fair

Over: ST 1 A/RAMP A&B

4.8 KM NE JCT SR 60&SR1A, Suffolk, MA

Built 1972 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 34,800

I 90 RAMPS J & L

Fair

Over: OTHER MDC AQUEDUCT

AT INT 14 L43, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 38.4 t ADT: 105,000

HWY MASS AVE

Fair

Over: COMB AMTRAK/MBTA & ORNG

ADJ. TO MASS AVE STATION, Suffolk, MA

Built 1980 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 15,000

HWY BAKER ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/CSX

.8 KM NE OF JCT SR109&RT1, Suffolk, MA

Built 1906 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 10,862

HWY AIRPORT RD

Fair

Over: ST 24

AT EXIT 8, Bristol, MA

Built 1951 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 20,000

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: OTHER COCHITUATE TRAIL

I-90 MM 116.4, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 48,609

ST113 STOREY AVE

Fair

Over: I 95

1 MI N OF HALE ST, Essex, MA

Built 1976 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 29,000

HWY HOLLAND RD

Fair

Over: WATER QUINEBAUG RIVER

.5MI. S. OF U.S.20&ST-148, Worcester, MA

Built 1956 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 1,500

I 84 WB

Fair

Over: WATER QUINEBAUG RIVER

1 MI. SOUTH OF U.S.-20, Worcester, MA

Built 1970 Load: 38.5 t ADT: 28,923

HWY W FIFTH ST

Fair

Over: COMB HAUL RD & MBTA RED

1371 M SW OF D ST OFFICE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1918 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 1,939

HWY CROSSNG BLVD

Fair

Over: COMB ST 9 & CSX

.5 MI. W. OF MASS PIKE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1989 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 11,379

HWY CABOT ST

Fair

Over: WATER SECOND LEVEL CANAL

AT INT OF RACE/CABOT ST, Hampden, MA

Built 1850 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 16,422

HWY MAPLE ST

Fair

Over: I 90

0.2M N OF CAPE ST A17, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 1,025

I 95 RAMP G

Fair

Over: I 95 RAMP E

.6 MI S FOREST STREET, Essex, MA

Built 1988 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 4,200

ST 25 EB

Fair

Over: HWY BOURNE RD

1.4 M E OF WAREHAM TL, Plymouth, MA

Built 1987 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 31,940

ST 25 WB

Fair

Over: HWY BOURNE RD

1.4 M E OF WAREHAM TL, Plymouth, MA

Built 1987 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 33,491

ST 1 A/LEE BRBNK

Fair

Over: OTHER OIL PIPE TUNNEL

1 MI SW OF JET SR 145&1A, Suffolk, MA

Built 1934 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 58,700

ST 1 A/LEE BRBNK

Fair

Over: OTHER OIL PIPE TUNNEL

1 MI S OF ST-145, Suffolk, MA

Built 1933 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 60,846

ST 1 A/LEE BRBNK

Fair

Over: OTHER OIL PIPE TUNNEL

1 MI SW OF JET SR 145&1A, Suffolk, MA

Built 1933 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 58,700

ST 85 CRDVILLE RD

Fair

Over: ST 9 TURNPIKE RD

2 MILES EAST OF I-495, Worcester, MA

Built 1930 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 11,800

I 290 RAMP C

Fair

Over: I 290 & MILLBROOK ST

.25 MI W OF BURNCOAT ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1962 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 13,309

HWY WEST ST

Fair

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

.53 KM N OF CLEARY SQ., Suffolk, MA

Built 1986 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 27,155

HWY BARE HILL RD

Fair

Over: I 95

BEARHILL RD AT I-95, Essex, MA

Built 1974 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 1,600

HWY WASHNGTON ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA

WASH.ST AT ST 3, Norfolk, MA

Built 1957 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 33,500

HWY GROVE ST

Fair

Over: WATER MINE BROOK

0.2 MI. W. OF RT. 495, Norfolk, MA

Built 1961 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 8,207

I 91 SB

Fair

Over: ST 2 WB ROTARY

MM 43.1 ON I-91 SB, Franklin, MA

Built 1966 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 8,227

HWY OLD LTTLN RD

Fair

Over: ST 2

1.75 MI. W. OF TAYLOR ST., Worcester, MA

Built 1950 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 393

I 190 SB

Fair

Over: WATER N NASHUA RIVER

I-190 MM 17.2, Worcester, MA

Built 1977 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 22,162

ST 2 EB

Fair

Over: HWY ST 2 WB OFF RAMP J

.1 MI. E. OF I-190, Worcester, MA

Built 1975 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 21,392

I 495 NB

Fair

Over: HWY NORTHBORO RD

.5 MI. N. OF MAIN ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1963 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 43,147

I 495 SB

Fair

Over: HWY NORTHBORO RD

.5 MI. N. OF MAIN ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1963 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 36,100

I 495 NB

Fair

Over: HWY FLANDERS RD

1.7 MI SE OF ST-9, Worcester, MA

Built 1966 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 46,713

Showing 2,101-2,150 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.