Why did the truss bridge break up with the beam bridge? It needed more support.
Why did the truss bridge break up with the beam bridge? It needed more support.
A bridge's favorite type of music? Heavy metal. Or suspension... it depends.
over RR MBTA/BMRR
.1 MI S OF PEARL ST
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This bridge has a Poor overall condition rating of 4 out of 9. This bridge is classified as being in poor condition, meaning one or more structural components have significant deterioration. Poor condition does not mean the bridge is unsafe to drive on, but it does mean repairs or replacement may be needed.
The bridge carries 32,000 vehicles per day and is 100 years old (reconstructed in 1983).
Its sufficiency rating of 29.0 places it below the national average of 63.6.
The NBI records a navigation clearance of 17 feet — the minimum vertical space below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers, railings, and superstructure) may be higher.
For travelers with bridge anxiety
This bridge may cause some awareness for travelers with bridge anxiety, but has manageable characteristics.
This bridge is 174 feet long — a short crossing, about 10-15 seconds.
A truss bridge — the steel framework can provide a sense of enclosure.
About 17 feet above ground — moderate height, similar to a 3-5 story building.
About 32,000 vehicles cross daily — moderate traffic, some congestion possible.
The deck is 108 feet wide with multiple lanes — easy to stay in a center lane.
This bridge crosses over land, not water — no water views below.
This comfort score is designed to help individuals with bridge anxiety plan their travel. All bridges in the National Bridge Inventory are regularly inspected and deemed safe for travel. This is not medical advice — if you experience severe anxiety, please consult a healthcare professional.
Year Built
1926
100 years old (rebuilt 1983)
Structure Type
Steel Truss (Thru)
Total Length
174 ft
53.0 m
Deck Width
108 ft
32.9 m
Spans
1
sections between supports
Max Span
172 ft
longest unsupported section (52.3 m)
Traffic Lanes
6 lanes
Two-way traffic
Clearance Below
17 ft
navigation clearance under deck
Clearance height compared to familiar objects
Height shown is the navigation clearance below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers and superstructure) may be higher.
Daily Traffic
32,000vehicles/day
42.38438°N, 71.09139°W
Steel Truss (Thru)
A steel truss bridge uses a framework of interconnected triangular elements. The geometric rigidity of triangles makes this design extremely efficient at distributing loads.
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Data from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Data year: 2025. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for any decisions related to bridge safety or transportation planning. Always consult official sources and local authorities for the most current data.