The authors discuss the benefits of a partnership approach to problem solving through a case study examination of the development of the New England bulb-tee precast concrete bridge girder. A committee, named the Precast/ Prestressed Concrete Institute (PC/) New England Technical Committee for Bridges was formed and consists of a unique public/private partnership of all six New England state highway departments, area precasters and private consultants. The members of this committee have joined together to develop regional solutions to precast concrete bridge problems shared by the New England states. This paper discusses the development of the committee, the partnering approach to problem solving used by the committee, and the application of this approach in the development of a new precast, prestressed concrete bridge girder. The new bulb-tee girder is already being used in several bridge projects in New England.
