The New England Bulb Tee (NEBT) girder played a prominent role in constructing the Jetport Interchange Bridge on the Maine Turnpike near Portland, Maine. The bridge has two 125 ft (38. 1 m) end spans and an interior span of 106 ft (32.3 rn), giving it a total length of 356 ft (108.5 m). An added feature of the design was the use of integral abutments, which reduced substructure costs by eliminating bearing devices and roadway joints. The NEBT girder provided structural efficiency, strength, aesthetics, lower construction cost and uninterrupted turnpike traffic during construction. This article presents the design features of the bridge and gives highlights of its construction.
