How Many Structurally Deficient Bridges Are There in MA's 4th District?

Hundreds of bridges in Massachusetts have been classified as "structurally deficient" and thousands qualify as "functionally obsolete," according to data from the National Bridge Inventory Database.

Of the 5,171 bridges in the state, 483 (nine percent) are "structurally deficient," meaning at least one of the bridge's key elements is in "poor" or worse condition. The Bay State ranks 20th in percentage of structurally deficient bridges and ranks 31st in overall number.

On top of that, 2,214 bridges (43 percent) are "functionally obsolete," meaning they do not meet current design standards.

See also: Hundreds of Structurally Deficient Bridges in Massachusetts: See The Most Traveled

The database further breaks down the numbers by congressional district. In Massachusetts' 5th District – which includes Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Brookline, Medfield, Dover and other communities in Middlesex, Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk and Worcester counties – 237 (9 percent) are classified as structurally deficient and 1,248 (45 percent) qualify as functionally obsolete.

Over the last 10 years, 149 new bridges have been constructed in the district, 109 have undergone major reconstruction and needed repairs have been identified on 2,508 bridges. This will cost an estimated $8 billion, according to the database.

Here's a look at the 10 most-traveled structurally deficient bridges in counties in the district:

1. I 93 NB/US1SB over St 24 NB (Norfolk), Built in 1958, 201,000 daily crossings
2. I 95 /St128 over RR MBTA/BMRR (Middlesex), Built in 1950, 172,000 daily crossings
3. I 95 NB/St128 NB over St 3 A/Cambridge St (Middlesex), Built in 1950, 159,900 daily crossings
4. Hwy Grove St over I 95 /St128 (Middlesex), Built in 1962, 154,500 daily crossings
5. St 3 NB over Hwy Ramp C (Q Adams) (Norfolk), Built in 1978, 138,200 daily crossings
6. I 90 over RR CSX/Mbta (Middlesex), Built in 1964, 121,547 daily crossings
7. St 16 Rev Bch Pkwy over Water Malden River (Middlesex), Built in 1954, 116,500 daily crossings
8. I 95 NB over I 95 /US1/St128 (Norfolk), Built in 1966, 110,000 daily crossings
9. St 24 over Hwy W Chestnut St (Plymouth), Built in 1954, 96,400 daily crossings
10. I 95 NB/St128 NB over Hwy Middlesex Tpk (Middlesex), Built in 1962, 91,300 daily crossings

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