Glossary & Related Links

Abutment: Part of a structure which supports the end of a span or accepts the thrust of an arch; often supports and retains the approach embankment.

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC): a means of rapidly constructing a bridge by building major bridge components off site and installing them quickly using heavy lifting equipment such as cranes. ABC techniques reduce construction time and minimize other construction-related impacts by completing as much work off site as possible.

Deck: The portion of the bridge that directly carries traffic.

Substructure: The portion of the bridge that supports the superstructure and distributes all bridge loads to below-ground bridge footings.

Superstructure: The portion of the bridge that supports the deck and connects one substructure element to another.