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 HAMILTON ST

Good

Over: ST 2

.5 MILES WEST OF ST-13, Worcester, MA

Built 1949 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 10,966

HWY BROADWAY

Good

Over: WATER PAWTUCKET CANAL

NEAR GATE HOUSE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1852 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 9,000

ST 16 REV BCH PKWY

Good

Over: COMB RIVERS EDGE&MBTA&O

.2 MI E OF FELLSWAY, Middlesex, MA

Built 2018 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 68,300

HWY FISKE ML RD

Good

Over: WATER MILL RIVER

1M N OF RT140 @UPTN LINE, Worcester, MA

Built 1945 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 2,949

HWY SPEEN ST

Good

Over: WATER FISKE POND

@ ST.135 AND SPEEN ST, Middlesex, MA

Built 2011 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 14,500

I 95 /ST128 RP K1

Good

Over: I 95 /ST128 RAMP K2

NEEDHAM I-95&KENDRICK ST, Norfolk, MA

Built 2018 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 10,345

HWY NORFOLK RD

Good

Over: WATER UMPACHENE BROOK

@ INT W/ SOUTHFIELD RD, Berkshire, MA

Built 1939 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 1,034

HWY PLAIN ST

Good

Over: WATER CANOE RIVER

.4 MI E OF RTE 495, Bristol, MA

Built 2017 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 2,300

US202 /ST2

Good

Over: ST 2 A/STATE RD

MM 76.8 ON US202/ST2, Worcester, MA

Built 1959 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 20,172

HWY WOODLAWN AV

Good

Over: RR CSX

0.1M N OF EAST RR149.67, Berkshire, MA

Built 2016 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 5,700

ST 31 E PRINCTN RD

Good

Over: WATER E WACHUSETT BROOK

AT MILE MARKER 39.2, Worcester, MA

Built 2020 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 1,723

ST138 BROADWAY

Good

Over: I 495

ST 138 AT I 495, Bristol, MA

Built 1978 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 20,832

HWY SUMMIT RD

Good

Over: RR CSX

1.2 MI E OF ST 41 156.70, Berkshire, MA

Built 1986 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 3,400

HWY WETHERSFIELD

Good

Over: WATER BACHELDER BROOK

0.2 MILES FROM RT1., Essex, MA

Built 2009 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 1,200

HWY TOWN DUMP RD

Good

Over: WATER LAWRENCE BROOK

0.8 M S OF ATHOL RD/RT63, Worcester, MA

Built 2019 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 15

HWY TURNPIKE RD

Good

Over: WATER SQUANNACOOK RIVER

AT BARKER HILL ROAD, Middlesex, MA

Built 1999 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 1,699

HWY PELHAM IS RD

Good

Over: WATER SUDBURY RIVER

.4MI SW OF RT. 20, Middlesex, MA

Built 2012 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 1,900

HWY POCHASSIC ST

Good

Over: COMB ACCESS RD & PVRR

0.1 MI W OF US 202, Hampden, MA

Built 1904 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 7,758

HWY KINGS HWY

Good

Over: WATER N BR MANHAN RIVER

W OF JCT RESERVOIR RD, Hampshire, MA

Built 2022 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 300

I 90 RAMP R

Good

Over: OTHER MWRA AQUEDUCT

I-90 WB EXIT 15A RAMP, Middlesex, MA

Built 2017 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 7,800

HWY COLUMBIAN ST

Good

Over: RR MBTA

0.97 KM E OF ST18, Norfolk, MA

Built 2003 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 30,500

HWY WILLMSBRG RD

Good

Over: WATER BR WEST BROOK

750 W OF CONWAY RD, Franklin, MA

Built 2020 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 10

ST 12 WEBSTER ST

Good

Over: WATER MIDDLE RIVER

300 FT. WEST OF MILL ST., Worcester, MA

Built 2013 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 9,749

ST112 DINGLE RD

Good

Over: WATER KEARNEY BROOK

.1 MI N OF CUDWORTH RD, Hampshire, MA

Built 2012 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 387

ST112 HUNTNGTON RD

Good

Over: WATER LITTLE RIVER

0.3 MI S OF GOSS HILL RD, Hampshire, MA

Built 1970 Load: 35.6 t ADT: 1,500

HWY WETHERBEE ST

Good

Over: WATER NASHOBA BROOK

500 FT S OF RT 2A, Middlesex, MA

Built 1997 Load: 35.7 t ADT: 2,586

I 93 RAMP SN

Good

Over: COMB MBTA & ORANGE LINE

I93 US1 INTERCHANGE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1999 Load: 35.7 t ADT: 11,575

HWY NICHOLS ST

Good

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

.32 KM SW TEWKSBURY, Middlesex, MA

Built 1968 Load: 35.7 t ADT: 3,400

HWY JAMES ST

Good

Over: WATER KETTLE BROOK

.2MI.WST.OF S.LUDLOW ST., Worcester, MA

Built 1994 Load: 35.7 t ADT: 776

HWY BELLNGHM ST

Good

Over: RR MBTA SILVER LINE

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

Built 1993 Load: 35.8 t ADT: 3,600

HWY SHELBRN FLS

Good

Over: WATER BEAR RIVER

.4 MI S. OF THOMPSON RD, Franklin, MA

Built 1992 Load: 35.8 t ADT: 859

HWY VINTON PD RD

Good

Over: WATER PEARL HILL BROOK

.1 MI W FITCHBURG RD, Middlesex, MA

Built 2009 Load: 35.8 t ADT: 200

HWY N RIVER RD

Good

Over: WATER NORTH RIVER

AT SHELBURNE TL/RTE 112, Franklin, MA

Built 1937 Load: 35.9 t ADT: 840

HWY BOYLSTON ST

Good

Over: RR BMRR

0.4 KM N RTE 495, Middlesex, MA

Built 1999 Load: 35.9 t ADT: 17,500

US 6 WB

Good

Over: ST 18 RAMP B

.7 MI W OF FAIRHVN T.L., Bristol, MA

Built 1973 Load: 35.9 t ADT: 8,017

HWY CHACE HLL RD

Good

Over: RR BMRR

.25 MILES NORTH OF ST 110, Worcester, MA

Built 1985 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 1,300

HWY COOPER ST

Good

Over: RR MBTA/BMRR

JUST OFF MYRTLE AVE, Middlesex, MA

Built 1919 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 2,069

HWY CUMMINS HWY

Good

Over: RR AMTRAK/MBTA

JUST W OF HYDE PARK AVE, Suffolk, MA

Built 1921 Load: 36.1 t ADT: 6,500

HWY WETHERSFIELD

Good

Over: WATER MILL RIVER

0.6 MILES FROM RT1., Essex, MA

Built 2009 Load: 36.1 t ADT: 1,200

HWY D ST

Good

Over: COMB HAUL RD & CSX

AT HAUL ROAD, Suffolk, MA

Built 2005 Load: 36.2 t ADT: 27,300

HWY PHINEAS ST

Good

Over: WATER BEAVER BROOK

3.4 MI N OF RT 3, Middlesex, MA

Built 1995 Load: 36.2 t ADT: 6,100

HWY POTTER MTN

Good

Over: WATER KINDERHOOK CREEK

200 EAST OF ROUTE 43, Berkshire, MA

Built 1980 Load: 36.2 t ADT: 259

HWY COOK RD

Good

Over: WATER HUBBARD BROOK

0.3M W OF ROUTE 7, Berkshire, MA

Built 1935 Load: 36.2 t ADT: 1,422

HWY CHAPOQUOIT

Good

Over: WATER W FALMOUTH HARBOR

CHAPOQUOIT/W. FALMOUTH HA, Barnstable, MA

Built 2012 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 928

HWY CHURCH ST

Good

Over: COMB ACC RD & BIKEPATH

50 FT S OF WOODS HOLE RD, Barnstable, MA

Built 2002 Load: 36.5 t ADT: 786

I 495

Good

Over: WATER MILL POND

@MM 78.7 1.25 MI NE RT 2, Middlesex, MA

Built 1961 Load: 36.5 t ADT: 107,705

I 495

Good

Over: ST 28 WAREHAM ST

3 M W OF CARVER TL, Plymouth, MA

Built 1958 Load: 36.5 t ADT: 42,319

ST 2

Good

Over: WATER LAKE ROHUNTA

MM 71.3 ON RT 2, Worcester, MA

Built 1955 Load: 36.6 t ADT: 11,683

HWY TRAVERS ST

Good

Over: WATER TRAVERS POND INLET

G-01-023 (, Worcester, MA

Built 2011 Load: 36.6 t ADT: 500

HWY CHAPIN RD

Good

Over: WATER SCANTIC RIVER

0.1M S OF MAIN ST@TWNHALL, Hampden, MA

Built 1956 Load: 36.6 t ADT: 200

Showing 3,851-3,900 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.