I 495
I 495 in .5 MI S Merrimac River, Essex County, Massachusetts received a condition grade of C (53/100). Built in 1963, the bridge carries 124K vehicles daily on I 495 over HWY Massachusetts AVE. It is classified as structurally deficient.
I 495 carries a C on the BridgeSafety Condition Score with 53/100. Component ratings sit in the middle of the FHWA NBI distribution; rehabilitation programming is likely on the owning agency’s medium-term horizon.
The bridge was built in 1963 and is now 63 years old, at or past the typical 50-year design life for bridges of its vintage. Maintenance and inspection cycles are correspondingly more involved than for newer structures. I 495 carries an average daily traffic count of 124,334 vehicles, with 6 lane(s) crossing HWY Massachusetts AVE. The owning agency is State Highway Agency; bridge inspection records flow into the federal NBI database annually.
Component Ratings
The riding surface, evaluated for cracking, spalling, and wear
Beams, girders, and trusses that support the deck
Piers, abutments, and foundations below the deck
Bridge Details
About This Bridge
I 495 is a 63-year-old bridge located .5 MI S Merrimac River in Essex County, Massachusetts. The bridge carries I 495 over HWY Massachusetts AVE with 6 traffic lanes, handling approximately 124K vehicles per day. Built in 1963 and reconstructed in 1987, the structure spans 34.1 meters.
The bridge received a Condition Grade of C (53/100) based on Federal Highway Administration inspection data. Its deck is rated 4/9 (poor), superstructure 6/9 (fair), and substructure 6/9 (fair). The bridge is classified as structurally deficient, meaning at least one major component is rated 4 or below, this signals a need for repair or replacement but does not necessarily indicate an immediate safety hazard.
This bridge is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.
Location Map
Frequently Asked Questions
I 495 has a Condition Score of 53/100 (Grade C). Its deck is rated 4/9, superstructure 6/9, and substructure 6/9 on the NBI scale. The bridge is classified as structurally deficient.
I 495 was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 1987, making it 63 years old. The average bridge age in the United States is 48 years.
I 495 carries approximately 124K vehicles per day (average daily traffic). The bridge has 6 traffic lanes. It is 34.1 meters long and located on I 495 in .5 MI S Merrimac River, Essex County, Massachusetts.
Yes, I 495 is classified as structurally deficient because at least one of its primary components (deck, superstructure, or substructure) is rated 4 or below on the 0-9 NBI scale. This does not necessarily mean it is unsafe, but it requires significant repair or replacement.
I 495 is located .5 MI S Merrimac River in Essex County, Massachusetts. The bridge carries I 495 over HWY Massachusetts AVE. Its coordinates are 42.697658, -71.142075. It is maintained by State Highway Agency.
I 495 carries I 495 over HWY Massachusetts AVE. The bridge is 34.1 meters long and was built in 1963, with reconstruction in 1987.
Condition Score is calculated from deck (33%), superstructure (33%), and substructure (34%) NBI ratings with an age penalty for bridges over 50 years.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2026.