Abstract��The maximum hardness at welding heat-affected zone ��HAZ�� �� the welding crack susceptibility at oblique Y groove�� the impact energy of the butt joint at different temperatures and the soldered joints at ��40 �� of the high performance bridge steel Q370qE-HPS and the normalized bridge steel Q370qE with different thickness were compared and analyzed by using manual arc welding machine�� gas shielded welding machine�� Vickers hardness�� impact testing machine and metallographic microscope. The results showed that compared with the normalized bridge steel Q370qE�� the Q370qE-HPS had lower harden quenching tendency and better impact property�� but there was no difference between the welding crack susceptibility of the two kinds of steel. The lower carbon content and the more fine and homogeneous tissue in Q370qE-HPS steel caused the better welding performance than that of the normalized bridge steel Q370qE.