This executive summary gives an overview of the results of FHWA Contract DTFH61 92 C 00112, Seismic Research Program, which performed a series of special studies addressing the seismic design of new construction. The objectives of this project were to perform a series of special studies pertaining to the seismic vulnerability of highway structures, and to develop technical information on which future specifications for the seismic design of bridges could be based. This project divided work into 5 areas and 13 tasks, focusing on the following elements: review of current seismic design criteria, the seismic hazard exposure of the American highway system, foundation design and soil behavior, structural design, structural analysis and response, the relative importance of specific bridges and an assessment of the impact of current and recently completed research. The Seismic Research Program had a national focus, and aimed in part to address the differences in seismicity, bridge types, and typical design details between the central and eastern United States (CEUS) and those previously studied in California and the western United States. In many cases, west coast design practices required considerable modification before implementation in the CEUS. The project resulted in 34 research reports, of which 31 are summarized in this document. Seventeen of the reports have been published as National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER) or Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) reports. The research agencies final reports for the other taks are available from MCEER upon request.