US Bridges

HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA

Good

Suffolk County, Massachusetts · .33 MI W of SR28 · Structure no. B161593HCDOT634

Built
1904
121 years old, rebuilt 1996
Condition
Good
inspected January 2025
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
68 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,500
2025 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1904 and reconstructed in 1996, so it is 121 years old, older than the Massachusetts average of 63.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 8,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,424 by 2032. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHWY Harvard ST
CrossesRR MBTA
Location.33 MI W of SR28
RouteCity Street 0
CountySuffolk County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.29673, -71.07886
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating57.9 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.5 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,500 (2025)
Projected traffic13,424 by 2032
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA built?

It was built in 1904, making it 121 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1996.

What condition is HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in January 2025.

How much traffic does HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA carry?

About 8,500 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Harvard ST over RR MBTA?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.