Abstract: An expansion joint for use between spaced apart ends of adjacent sections of a highway, bridge or the like, the expansion joint having a pair of aligned boxes embedded in the pavement material of the ends of the sections, one or more support rails each of which is slidingly supported at its opposed ends in the aligned boxes, and one or more intermediate rails between the spaced apart ends and extending transversely of the support rails, each of the intermediate rails being affixed to and supported thereby. Each of the boxes has a removable top plate whose top surface is coplanar with the driving surface of the highway, bridge or the like, the top surface having a steel plate with upper and lower layers of an organic material affixed to its upper and lower surfaces, respectively.