Essex County Bridge Report Card
Essex County scores 38 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Essex County, Massachusetts
Essex County has 397 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 66 rated poor and 12 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 16.6% is above the 9.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 2,249,260 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Essex County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 38/100 (F). The county has 397 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 66 in poor condition and 12 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 2,249,260 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 16.6% | 33.2 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 19.1% of measured traffic | 14.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 3.0% | 6.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 68 years vs 48 nationally | 8.2 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 11,760,177 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 16.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 9.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 3.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 68 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 2,249,260 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Essex County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 93 over Water Merrimack River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 119,818 | 1959 |
| I 495 & Access Rps over Water Merrimack River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 79,000 | 1962 |
| I 495 NB over Water Merrimack River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 60,056 | 1964 |
| St125 Bridge ST over Water Merrimack River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 33,900 | 1925 |
| ST 28 Broadway over Water Spicket River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 12,808 | 1900 |
| HWY County ST over Water Ipswich River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,700 | 1861 |
| US 1 Newbrprt Tpk over I 95 /st128 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 140,655 | 1963 |
| I 495 over HWY Massachusetts AVE | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 124,334 | 1963 |
| I 495 SB over ST 28 Sb/n Main ST | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 95,100 | 1962 |
| I 495 SB over Comb Bmrr & Little Riv | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 93,469 | 1961 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.