Hs2 | First Stage Of Works On Bridge To Take Line Over M42 Complete

High Speed 2 (HS2) main works contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci JV (BBV) has completed the initial stage of construction for a bridge that will carry the high-speed railway line over the M42 outside Birmingham.

The construction team undertook extensive preparatory work during two weekend motorway closures, focusing on removing existing concrete foundations, installing underground ducting and establishing a safe working zone in the central reservation of the M42.

The new bridge will comprise a 300m-long box structure and is designed to facilitate the high-speed line’s crossing over a 130m stretch of the motorway, located between junctions 6 and 7/7a near Birmingham Business Park and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Employing modular construction methods, the project aims to minimise disruption for motorists by reducing the duration of motorway closures. This involves the pre-manufacturing of large building blocks, which are then transported to the construction site.

Approximately 1,500 hollow blocks, each with an average weight of 14t, will be stacked to create the structure’s walls. To support the bridge deck, a total of 295 beams will span the gaps between the blocks, followed by the installation of the bridge deck and safety parapets. The entire structure is expected to reach completion by early 2027.

Following the preparatory work, construction can now proceed with plans for a continuation of traffic flow on the M42, allowing three lanes to remain open under a reduced speed limit of 50mph (80km/h). This will be coordinated in collaboration with National Highways, which is working alongside HS2 Ltd and BBV throughout the construction process.

As work escalates, a workforce of around 150 specialists will be dedicated to the project, highlighting the complexity of this major infrastructure undertaking.

HS2 Ltd senior project manager Doug Barnett said: “I would like to thank motorists for their patience and our colleagues at National Highways for their support during these recent temporary closures of the M42. I also commend our site team who worked through the night to complete this essential work, enabling the motorway to reopen five hours earlier than planned.

“Following this first phase of work, we can now start to build the structure in place from the ground up. We’ve prioritised a modular, self-supporting construction method as this avoids the need for any long-term motorway closures and reduces the overall construction time frame – keeping disruption to a minimum.”

BBV project director Oliver Shore said: “Now we’ve completed essential preparation works along a section of the M42, we’re ready to begin building this twin box structure which will carry HS2 trains over the motorway. Using a modular construction method, this impressive structure will be built in position, to minimise disruption on road users.”

National Highways network planner David Patmore said: “It is crucial for us that we keep traffic moving and we do all we can to ensure people’s journeys on our roads are as smooth as possible. When we need to carry out important and significant works such as these, we work closely with partners like HS2 to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to reduce the impact of the works on our roads and would like to thank road users and local communities for their patience.”

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