Abstract: An expansion joint system which is designed to accommodate forces applied to highway construction during normal changes in ambient conditions, and which is also designed to withstand seismic forces which may be applied in transverse and longitudinal directions. The system comprises spaced-apart transverse beams which are placed in a gap defined between adjacent sections of highway construction such as in a bridge. Longitudinally extending support bars are positioned beneath the beams, and the ends of the bars are located in the interiors of boxes associated with the highway sections. One set of boxes confines bar ends against transverse movement but permits longitudinal movement. The other set of boxes permits the transverse movement but limits longitudinal movement.