Waterproofing systems on bridges play an important role by protecting both the concrete in a deck slab and the embedded reinforcement from corrosion. Such waterproofing systems are often made by applying bituminous waterproofing membranes on the concrete deck and beneath asphalt surfacing. The membranes need to adhere well to the concrete deck to avoid the formation of blisters and air gaps which reduce the long-term in-service performance. In this study, different parameters influencing the adhesion of the bituminous membranes to the concrete deck, such as surface roughness, water content in concrete, welding method, and primer coating, were investigated. A typical SBS-modified bituminous waterproofing membrane and a concrete base plate (B30) were chosen for the study. Test specimens were prepared and tested using different test methods. The adhesion strength of the membrane was measured using conventional test methods, i.e. pull-off test, shear test, and 90° peel test. New performance-oriented tests were also used to determine the adhesion of the membrane attached to the concrete by a pressure resistance test and by a blister growth simulation test. The availability of these performance-oriented tests was discussed. The results from the conventional tests showed some significant differences in adhesion strength between bitumen and epoxy primers.