Why are there gaps is a road deck of a bridge?

Answer 1

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On older sections of bolted track the gaps were put in to allow for thermal expansion of the rails. On continuous welded rail the gaps are not intentional but the most likely result of removing a defect in the rail.

Gaps in the rails are most likely not intentional but a result of the steel warping or twisting from the weight and inertia of the constant train traffic. In older sections of track the wood ties that support the tracks my be decomposing causing gaps. Many railroads are upgrading to a continuous rail where they use thermite to weld the rails together at the seems, this improves the stability of the tracks and to improve the rail infrastructure.

Answer 2

Gaps in roads serve as expansion joints. These prevents the breaking or cracking of roads whenever it freezes or gets very hot.