US Bridges

HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River

Fair

Middlesex County, Massachusetts · .1 MI South of St. 16 · Structure no. N0301624RMUNNBI

Built
1861
164 years old, rebuilt 1910
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
113 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
9,000
2013 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River is a masonry arch - deck carrying HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1861 and reconstructed in 1910, so it is 164 years old, older than the Massachusetts average of 63.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 9,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,214 by 2032. The structure is 113 ft (34.4 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Pleasant ST
CrossesWater Charles River
Location.1 MI South of St. 16
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMiddlesex County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.27174, -71.3152
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating74.4 US tons
Inventory rating74.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length113 ft (34.4 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,000 (2013)
Projected traffic14,214 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$4.6 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River built?

It was built in 1861, making it 164 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1910.

What condition is HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River carry?

About 9,000 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River?

The structure is 113 ft (34.4 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Pleasant ST over Water Charles River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.