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

ST 28 E FALMTH HWY

Fair

Over: WATER COONAMESSET RIVER

3.5 M W OF MASHPEE TL, Barnstable, MA

Built 1953 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 20,214

ST 2 EB

Fair

Over: HWY PEARSON BLVD NB

.5 M E OF ST. 68, Worcester, MA

Built 1961 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 16,350

HWY COHANNET ST

Fair

Over: WATER MILL RIVER

AT GAZZETTE BUILDING, Bristol, MA

Built 1850 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 5,357

ST116 ASHFIELD RD

Fair

Over: WATER SOUTH RIVER

.8 M S OF N POLAND ROAD, Franklin, MA

Built 1926 Load: 20.5 t ADT: 2,633

HWY OLD WINDSOR

Fair

Over: WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R

1M E OF JCT RT8&9, Berkshire, MA

Built 1973 Load: 20.5 t ADT: 1,069

HWY BRIGHAM HILL

Fair

Over: WATER QUINSIGAMOND RIVER

.2 M W OF RTE 140, Worcester, MA

Built 1888 Load: 20.5 t ADT: 2,500

US 7 WILLMSTWN RD

Fair

Over: WATER TOWN BROOK

0.7 MI. N. OF BAILEY ROAD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1961 Load: 20.6 t ADT: 5,512

ST 18 MAIN ST

Fair

Over: ST 3

1.4 KM E BRAINTREE T.L., Norfolk, MA

Built 1957 Load: 20.6 t ADT: 47,327

HWY CHRISTIAN LN

Fair

Over: I 91

MM 33.2 ON I-91, Franklin, MA

Built 1962 Load: 20.6 t ADT: 2,069

HWY WERDEN RD

Fair

Over: I 90

.5 MI E. SHAW POND B3, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 393

I 91 NB

Fair

Over: OTHER MANHAN RAIL TRAIL

MM 21.2 ON I-91 NB, Hampshire, MA

Built 1963 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 27,714

HWY MILLER ST

Fair

Over: WATER CHICOPEE RIVER

AT WILBRAHAM LINE, Hampden, MA

Built 1939 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 18,363

US 20 W HOUSATONIC

Fair

Over: RR CSX

W OF CLOVERDALE ST 154.07, Berkshire, MA

Built 1933 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 18,000

HWY CONEY ST

Fair

Over: I 95

.5 MI SE OF US 1, Norfolk, MA

Built 1963 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 11,075

HWY MEMORL DR EB

Fair

Over: WATER CHARLES RIVER

JUST S OF LONGFELLOW BR, Middlesex, MA

Built 1956 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 13,000

HWY DILLA ST

Fair

Over: WATER LOUISA LAKE OTLT

0.1 MI E OF PURCHASE ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1980 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 20,000

HWY WRENTHAM RD

Fair

Over: WATER PETERS RIVER

1000 FT E OF PULASKI BLVD, Norfolk, MA

Built 1954 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 4,000

HWY TAPLEY ST

Fair

Over: COMB I 291/US20 & CSX

AT JCT I-291, Hampden, MA

Built 1969 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 16,900

HWY MEADOW ST

Fair

Over: WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER

AT RTE 102 INTERSECTION, Berkshire, MA

Built 1954 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 5,200

I 495 NB

Fair

Over: HWY DONALD LYNCH BLVD

.1 MI N OF I-290, Middlesex, MA

Built 1963 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 48,156

HWY RESERVOIR RD

Fair

Over: WATER ROBERTS MEADOW BRK

0MD, Hampshire, MA

Built 1956 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 1,163

HWY HART ST

Fair

Over: ST 24

.8 MI N OF ST 140, Bristol, MA

Built 1951 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 12,786

HWY SPRING ST

Fair

Over: WATER HOOSIC RIVER

.25 MI W OF EAST RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 1,293

HWY SOUTH ST

Fair

Over: WATER NORTH BROOK

.85 MI NW OF WHITNEY ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1900 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 3,168

ST 8 A/N HEATH RD

Fair

Over: WATER MILL BROOK

.5 MI N OF MAXWELL ROAD, Franklin, MA

Built 1939 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 388

HWY EAST HILL RD

Fair

Over: WATER YORK LAKE SPLWAY

.2 MI E OF SANDISFIELD RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1966 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 129

HWY FERRY ST

Fair

Over: WATER STONY BROOK

BETWEEN RT47 & CONN RIVER, Hampshire, MA

Built 1976 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 1,910

US 3 /ST2&16/ALWF

Fair

Over: HWY ALW STA ACCESS RD

.32 KM N OF RINGE AVE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1984 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 54,568

ST 28 SB

Fair

Over: ST151 NATHAN ELLIS HWY

.75 M S OF BOURNE TL, Barnstable, MA

Built 1960 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 16,900

HWY GROVE ST

Fair

Over: I 90

I-90 MM 113.5, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 3,690

HWY DIVISION ST

Fair

Over: WATER WILLIAMS RIVER

600 W OF ROUTE 41, Berkshire, MA

Built 1949 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 2,286

ST 68 WORCESTER RD

Fair

Over: WATER WARE RIVER

1 MI. N. OF ST 62, Worcester, MA

Built 1954 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 4,680

ST140

Fair

Over: HWY HATHAWAY RD

.4 MI N OF I 195, Bristol, MA

Built 1963 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 54,568

HWY HARWOOD ST

Fair

Over: WATER FRENCH RIVER

.6 MI SW OF RTE 12, Worcester, MA

Built 1955 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 5,325

HWY BRIDGE ST

Fair

Over: WATER CHICOPEE RIVER

JUST N OF MAIN ST, Hampden, MA

Built 1964 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 2,000

HWY OLD WSTFIELD

Fair

Over: WATER BRADLEY BROOK

@ INT. WITH MAIN ST., Hampden, MA

Built 1938 Load: 21.3 t ADT: 647

HWY PLYMOUTH RD

Fair

Over: WATER CHARLES RIVER

0.5 MI W OF FRANKLIN T.L., Norfolk, MA

Built 1956 Load: 21.4 t ADT: 900

HWY AUSTIN ST

Fair

Over: HWY RUTHERFORD AVE

.16 KM N OF RT 93, Suffolk, MA

Built 1972 Load: 21.4 t ADT: 28,966

HWY OLD DALT RD

Fair

Over: WATER E BR HOUSATONIC R

AT INT W/ ROUTE 8, Berkshire, MA

Built 1978 Load: 21.4 t ADT: 2,974

I 495 SB

Fair

Over: ST114 WINTHROP AVE

.7 MI N ST28, Essex, MA

Built 1962 Load: 21.4 t ADT: 94,800

HWY S MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER BUMPS RIVER

AT BUMPS RIVER, Barnstable, MA

Built 1957 Load: 21.5 t ADT: 6,857

HWY ELEVENTH ST

Fair

Over: WATER UTILITY CANAL

250 W INT MONT CTY RD, Franklin, MA

Built 1915 Load: 21.5 t ADT: 2,500

HWY COLD RIV RD

Fair

Over: WATER COLD RIVER

1MI E OF SAVOY TL N OF 2, Franklin, MA

Built 1959 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 129

HWY LYONSVLLE RD

Fair

Over: WATER E BR NORTH RIVER

500 WEST OF RTE 112, Franklin, MA

Built 1870 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 129

HWY HARRISON RD

Fair

Over: WATER POLAND BROOK

AT INT. W/ MAIN POLAND RD, Franklin, MA

Built 1940 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 120

ST116 CONWAY RD

Fair

Over: I 91

MM 35.9 ON I-91, Franklin, MA

Built 1965 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 12,550

HWY TAYLOR HL RD

Fair

Over: WATER MOOSE BROOK

1.5M NW OF RT32 NR BARRE, Worcester, MA

Built 1936 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 50

HWY TOWN HILL RD

Fair

Over: WATER FACTORY BROOK

.4 MI EAST OF MUNN RD, Hampshire, MA

Built 1939 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 129

US 1 NB/GL EDWRDS

Fair

Over: I 95 SB

NEAR STADIUM EXIT, Norfolk, MA

Built 1963 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 16,494

HWY MAPLE AVE

Fair

Over: I 195

.5 MI NW OF US 6, Bristol, MA

Built 1959 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 10,076

Showing 201-250 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.