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

ST112 ASHFIELD MT

Good

Over: WATER CLESSON BROOK

.1 MI N OF APPLE VALLEY R, Franklin, MA

Built 1900 Load: 17.3 t ADT: 3,621

HWY BOICE RD

Good

Over: WATER GREEN RIVER

750 E OF RT 71, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 17.5 t ADT: 1,552

HWY RINDGE RD

Good

Over: WATER FALLULAH BROOK

200 FT NTH OF SCOTT ST, Worcester, MA

Built 1972 Load: 17.5 t ADT: 3,466

ST146 SB OFF RAMP

Good

Over: WATER EMERSON BROOK

2.6 MI. S. OF ST-16, Worcester, MA

Built 1984 Load: 17.7 t ADT: 1,621

HWY COUNTY RD

Good

Over: WATER IRONWORK BROOK

BEWTN BOARDMAN ST/ EAST R, Berkshire, MA

Built 1949 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 3,103

HWY SAUNDERSDALE

Good

Over: WATER DEANS BROOK

1.4MI. W. OF DRESSERHILL, Worcester, MA

Built 1986 Load: 19.2 t ADT: 4,000

ST112 ASHFIELD RD

Good

Over: WATER CLESSON BROOK

.6 M S JCT PURINTON RD., Franklin, MA

Built 1950 Load: 19.3 t ADT: 2,147

ST 28 LEVERETT CIR

Good

Over: HWY EMBANKMENT RD WB

.16 KM N OF BLOSSOM ST, Suffolk, MA

Built 1952 Load: 19.4 t ADT: 61,034

HWY MAIN ST

Good

Over: WATER SUDBURY RIVER

.1 MI S OF ST-9, Middlesex, MA

Built 1878 Load: 20.2 t ADT: 7,950

HWY MYST VAL PKY

Good

Over: WATER ABERJONA RIVER

ADJACENT TO BMRR, Middlesex, MA

Built 1896 Load: 20.3 t ADT: 6,206

HWY MAIN POLAND

Good

Over: WATER CHAPEL BROOK

100 N OF CHAPEL FALLS RD, Franklin, MA

Built 1940 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 143

OLD MASHPAUG ROAD

Good

Over: QUINEBAUG RIVER

29 KM SW OF WORCESTER, Worcester, MA

Built 1956 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 5

ST 57 MAIN RD

Good

Over: WATER DICKINSON BROOK

0.3 MI EAST OF SODOM ROAD, Hampden, MA

Built 1954 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 3,362

HWY SAVOY RD

Good

Over: WATER CHICKLEY RIVER

W OF RT8A 0.1M E OF SAVOY, Franklin, MA

Built 1940 Load: 20.5 t ADT: 129

HWY COUNTY RD

Good

Over: WATER IRONWORK BROOK

0.6 MI S OF CROSS RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1949 Load: 20.5 t ADT: 1,293

HWY EXCHANGE ST

Good

Over: WATER MILLERS RIVER

0.3M N OF S. MAIN ST., Worcester, MA

Built 1939 Load: 20.6 t ADT: 7,500

HWY KINGSBURY ST

Good

Over: RR CSX/MBTA

.16 KM NW RT 16, Norfolk, MA

Built 1889 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 14,482

HWY SO STA CONN

Good

Over: I 93 RAMPS CC KK D

UNIT 1, Suffolk, MA

Built 2004 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 350

US 44 HARDING ST

Good

Over: WATER NEMASKET RIVER

.5 M S OF RTE 44 / RR, Plymouth, MA

Built 1963 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 34,008

HWY DW FIELD PK

Good

Over: WATER PORTER POND

.1 MILE SOUTH OF OAK ST., Plymouth, MA

Built 1940 Load: 21.4 t

HWY QUABOAG ST

Good

Over: WATER DUNN BROOK

.3 MI. S. OF RT-9, Worcester, MA

Built 1961 Load: 21.5 t ADT: 2,200

HWY ST138 W FREX

Good

Over: COMB MACRR/QUECHAN RIVE

ST138 DAVOL/RR QUECHAN R, Bristol, MA

Built 1905 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 18,429

HWY HOLIDY CTTG

Good

Over: WATER WAHCONAH FALLS BRK

200 FT WEST OF RTE 9, Berkshire, MA

Built 1990 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 129

ST 27 PEMBROKE ST

Good

Over: RR MBTA

MBTA/MBCR MP 32/091, Plymouth, MA

Built 1958 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 13,000

HWY MULBERRY ST

Good

Over: WATER MILL RIVER

AT MILL RIVER, Hampshire, MA

Built 1991 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 4,525

HWY CROSS RD

Good

Over: WATER N BR HOOSIC RIVER

@ ROUTE 8 INTERSECTION, Berkshire, MA

Built 1973 Load: 22.1 t ADT: 259

HWY WELLMAN RD

Good

Over: WATER RAWSON BROOK

.4 MI EAST OF GOULD RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 2016 Load: 22.1 t ADT: 129

HWY WEBB RD

Good

Over: WATER UPR SPEC POND OTLT

1 MI E OF COLD SPRNG RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1960 Load: 22.1 t ADT: 129

HWY TOWN FARM LN

Good

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

1 MI S RT 3A & WOBURN ST, Middlesex, MA

Built 1925 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 800

HWY SPRING ST

Good

Over: WATER MATFIELD RIVER

.55 MI SW RTE 18, Plymouth, MA

Built 1946 Load: 22.9 t ADT: 7,100

ST 28 SB

Good

Over: HWY BRICK KILN RD

4.25 M S OF BOURNE TL, Barnstable, MA

Built 1959 Load: 22.9 t ADT: 19,396

OLD SOUTH STREET

Good

Over: QUINEBAUG RIVER

S.BRIDGE-STURBRIDGE LINE, Worcester, MA

Built 1960 Load: 23.0 t ADT: 300

HWY HIGH ST

Good

Over: WATER RUMFORD RIVER

0.1 MI W OF RUMFOR AVE, Bristol, MA

Built 1988 Load: 23.2 t ADT: 500

I 93 RMPS X XE

Good

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

I93&I90 INT .4K SW P.O., Suffolk, MA

Built 2005 Load: 23.4 t ADT: 2,316

HWY BRTTLBORO RD

Good

Over: WATER BEAVER MEADOW BRK

1M S OF VT 1M W OF BRDSTN, Franklin, MA

Built 1940 Load: 23.9 t ADT: 259

HWY SO STA CONN

Good

Over: HWY FRONTAGE RD

SOUTH STATION, Suffolk, MA

Built 1995 Load: 24.0 t

HWY MAIN DALTON

Good

Over: WATER WINDSOR BROOK

BTWN PTTRSN RD&CRANE RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1938 Load: 24.1 t ADT: 129

HWY JOHNSON RD

Good

Over: I 90

1 MI S. US 20 B4, Berkshire, MA

Built 1957 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 129

HWY E WINDSOR RD

Good

Over: WATER WESTFIELD BROOK

.1 MI S OF NOBODYS RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1938 Load: 24.7 t ADT: 259

HWY W CHESTNT ST

Good

Over: WATER COWEESET BROOK

.3 MI W EASTON, Plymouth, MA

Built 1970 Load: 25.2 t ADT: 24,310

HWY LOWER RD EXT

Good

Over: WATER WESTFIELD RIVER

AT WINDSOR JAMBS PARK, Berkshire, MA

Built 1940 Load: 25.2 t ADT: 129

HWY LOG PLAIN RD

Good

Over: WATER MILL BROOK

100 S OF BARTON RD, Franklin, MA

Built 2003 Load: 25.3 t ADT: 1,560

HWY FLINT ST

Good

Over: WATER N BR MILL RIVER

160 S OF CHAUNCEY ST, Hampden, MA

Built 1956 Load: 25.3 t ADT: 258

I 93 RAMP N-S

Good

Over: COMB NASHUA ST&MGH PKNG

LEVERETT CIRCLE BOSTON, Suffolk, MA

Built 1999 Load: 25.5 t ADT: 34,304

HWY ARCH ST

Good

Over: WATER MILLERS RIVER

0.2 MI S OF RT 2, Franklin, MA

Built 1910 Load: 25.6 t ADT: 33

ST 24

Good

Over: HWY PAGE ST

.3 MI N OF AVON T.L., Norfolk, MA

Built 1956 Load: 25.6 t ADT: 134,922

HWY FOREST ST

Good

Over: WATER TOWN RIVER

1.05M FROM RIVER ST, Plymouth, MA

Built 1978 Load: 25.8 t ADT: 100

ST102 PLEASANT ST

Good

Over: RR HRR

1.2 MI S JCT US20 73.85, Berkshire, MA

Built 1905 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 7,512

HWY GOLDEN HILL

Good

Over: WATER HOUSATONIC RIVER

NEAR INT. W/ BRADLEY ST., Berkshire, MA

Built 2005 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 120

ST 57 WHITNEY RD

Good

Over: WATER KONKAPOT RIVER

300 N OF HATCHERY RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1940 Load: 26.0 t ADT: 1,293

Showing 3,501-3,550 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.