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 CLARK RD

Fair

Over: ST 3 PILGRIM HWY

8 MI S OF RTE 44, Plymouth, MA

Built 1956 Load: 42.7 t ADT: 14,858

ST 68 S ROYLSTN RD

Fair

Over: WATER LAWRENCE BROOK

300 N WINCHENDON RD, Worcester, MA

Built 1940 Load: 42.7 t ADT: 905

HWY GLEN RD

Fair

Over: RR CSX/MBTA

0.5 MI WEST RTE 16, Norfolk, MA

Built 1993 Load: 42.7 t ADT: 4,700

I 90 EB

Fair

Over: HWY MOSCOW RD

.3 MI W. INT. 3 A4, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 42.7 t ADT: 18,701

US 1 WASHNGTON ST

Fair

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

RR MP 191.13, Bristol, MA

Built 1937 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 34,267

I 93 RAMP CC & FX

Fair

Over: COMB I90& RP KK &AMTRK

I93/I90 INTERCHANGE, Suffolk, MA

Built 2003 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 22,400

HWY WASHNGTON RD

Fair

Over: RR CSX

600 INT OLD MILL BR RD, Hampden, MA

Built 1890 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 129

ST109 BRIDGE ST

Fair

Over: WATER CHARLES RIVER

1.3 KM NE OF ST 128, Norfolk, MA

Built 2012 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 11,100

ST119 GREAT RD

Fair

Over: RR BMRR

.2 MI S OF GROTON T.L., Middlesex, MA

Built 1995 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 13,913

HWY INDSTRIAL AV

Fair

Over: WATER RIVER MEADOW BROOK

ADJACENT TO REISSE AVENUE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1959 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 24,000

HWY WEBSTER ST

Fair

Over: WATER LEESVILLE PD OTLT

.2 MI N AUBURN T.L., Worcester, MA

Built 1935 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 11,318

HWY SAVOY RD

Fair

Over: WATER CHICKLEY RIVER

W OF RT8A 0.3M E OF SAVOY, Franklin, MA

Built 1939 Load: 42.9 t ADT: 129

I 93

Fair

Over: OTHER TRI COMMUNITY GREE

0.1 MI S MONTVALE AVE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1958 Load: 42.9 t ADT: 145,900

I 391

Fair

Over: ST116 CENTER ST

MM 1.0 ON I-391, Hampden, MA

Built 1981 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 38,017

HWY BETTY SPRING

Fair

Over: RR BMRR

.3 MILES WEST OF ST. 140, Worcester, MA

Built 1990 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 1,300

HWY MAIN ST

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/CSX

.3 MI W OF ST115, Norfolk, MA

Built 1987 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 6,400

HWY PURGATORY RD

Fair

Over: ST146

2MI. S. OF CENTRAL TPK., Worcester, MA

Built 1982 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 5,166

US202 /ST10/SHMPTN

Fair

Over: RR PVRR

50 FT S JCT OF ARCH ROAD, Hampden, MA

Built 1997 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 28,421

I 90

Fair

Over: OTHER AQDCT AT WLLSLY ST

4 KM W. ST 128&I 95 L38, Middlesex, MA

Built 1957 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 133,087

HWY OLD RTE 9

Fair

Over: WATER ALDER MEADOW BROOK

INTSECT OF WRTHINGTN RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1922 Load: 43.0 t ADT: 259

HWY SUMMER ST

Fair

Over: WATER FORT POINT CHANNEL

OVER FT POINT CHANNEL, Suffolk, MA

Built 1899 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 28,300

I 93 RAMP K

Fair

Over: OTHER RELIEF

I-93/I-90 INTERCHANGE, Suffolk, MA

Built 2004 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 8,793

HWY BROADWAY

Fair

Over: RR MBTA & SILVER LINE

1.6 KM S OF JCT US1&SR16, Suffolk, MA

Built 1917 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 13,060

ST140 S MAIN ST

Fair

Over: I 495

EX ST 140 NB & OLD ST 140, Bristol, MA

Built 1978 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 24,569

I 495 NB OFF RAMP

Fair

Over: I 495 & RAMP B

.6 MI N OF SOUTHBORO TL, Middlesex, MA

Built 2000 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 3,834

HWY MAIN ST

Fair

Over: COMB CSX/WESTFIELD RIV

0.5 MI E OF US 20 156.70, Hampden, MA

Built 1972 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 749

HWY W HARTFRD AV

Fair

Over: ST146 SB

.9 MI N OF ST 16, Worcester, MA

Built 1983 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 6,400

ST 12 W BOYLSTN ST

Fair

Over: RR BMRR

50 FT N OF EAST MOUNTAIN, Worcester, MA

Built 1927 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 11,407

I 190 RAMP A

Fair

Over: ST 12 NB

.5 MI. N. OF I-290, Worcester, MA

Built 1977 Load: 43.1 t ADT: 14,235

I 95 SB

Fair

Over: WATER TEN MILE RIVER

AT RAMP FROM I-295N, Bristol, MA

Built 1960 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 34,714

HWY TURNPIKE RD

Fair

Over: WATER RIVER MEADOW BROOK

JUST E OF MAIN ST, Middlesex, MA

Built 1984 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 5,043

HWY PRINCETON ST

Fair

Over: WATER QUINAPXT RES OTLT

0.2 M. S OF ELMWOOD AVE, Worcester, MA

Built 1930 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 474

HWY JACKSON ST

Fair

Over: WATER THIRD LVL CNL SPWY

AT JCT. OF MAIN STREET, Hampden, MA

Built 1850 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 6,466

I 90 WB

Fair

Over: HWY WHEELOCK AVE

I-90 MM 95.9, Worcester, MA

Built 1957 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 46,910

HWY BRIDGE ST

Fair

Over: WATER QUABOAG RIVER

0.2M S RT67 0.5M W RT19, Worcester, MA

Built 1992 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 388

HWY BRIDGE ST

Fair

Over: RR CSX

CHAPTER 634 900356007100, Worcester, MA

Built 1850 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 1,551

HWY RUSSLVLLE RD

Fair

Over: WATER POWDER MILL BROOK

JUST N OF MONTGOMERY RD, Hampden, MA

Built 1934 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 2,327

I 93 SB

Fair

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

0.8 MI NLY RT 125, Middlesex, MA

Built 1959 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 73,300

ST159 MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER WORTHINGTON BROOK

.75 MI N OF CONNECT LINE, Hampden, MA

Built 1911 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 8,664

ST116 /ST141/CABOT

Fair

Over: WATER THIRD LEVEL CANAL

AT JCT S CANAL ST., Hampden, MA

Built 1894 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 24,568

US 7 NEW ASHFORD

Fair

Over: WATER GREEN RIVER

AT GREYLOCK RD INT., Berkshire, MA

Built 1945 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 4,849

ST 16 WASHNGTON ST

Fair

Over: TR GREEN LINE D

OVER GREEN LINE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1850 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 50,300

HWY MAIN ST

Fair

Over: WATER HOOSIC RIVER

0.1 MI S OF ST 2, Berkshire, MA

Built 1959 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 729

I 495 RAMP B

Fair

Over: WATER CANOE RIVER

I-495 SB RAMP TO 123, Bristol, MA

Built 1978 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 4,346

I 495 RAMP D NB

Fair

Over: WATER CANOE RIVER

I 495 NB RAMP TO 123, Bristol, MA

Built 1978 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 3,214

HWY ALLEN ST

Fair

Over: WATER MILL RIVER

INT RIFLE ST, Hampden, MA

Built 1875 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 20,100

ST 9 /ST32/E MAIN

Fair

Over: WATER UTILITY CANAL

INT OF E.MAIN & PLEASANT, Hampshire, MA

Built 1992 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 14,224

I 290 EB

Fair

Over: COMB 4 CITY STS & CSX

1000 FT N OF HARRISON ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1958 Load: 43.3 t ADT: 64,769

HWY BEACON ST

Fair

Over: WATER MUDDY RIVER

.32 KM W OF JCT BEACON&2A, Suffolk, MA

Built 1900 Load: 43.4 t ADT: 7,500

I 90 EB

Fair

Over: US 20 N BEACON ST

.2 MI S. CHARLES RV S39, Suffolk, MA

Built 1964 Load: 43.4 t ADT: 44,057

Showing 2,501-2,550 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.