HS2 to extend two viaducts over motorway near Warwickshire village as part of major works
HS2’s complex civil engineering programme will shift up a gear this summer, as it prepares to deliver its biggest programme of work yet over the motorway network.
The construction schedule, which starts later this month (June), will see three huge structures built over busy sections of the M42 and M6 in the West Midlands.
This will include two single-track viaducts being extended over the M42/M6 Toll near Water Orton.
In another operation, a twin box will be built above both carriageways of the M42 near Birmingham Business Park northwest of Kenilworth – allowing the railway to be constructed over the top.
And a twin-track viaduct will be installed over the M6 near Chelmsley Wood.
The scale of the engineering works will underline the progress being made on HS2 as viaducts and structures built for the railway – which have been taking shape by the roadside over the last year – start to bridge the carriageway.
HS2 and its civil engineering partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI, have spent over a year planning the motorway crossings, in conjunction with National Highways, and say “every effort has been made to minimise disruption and keep traffic moving”.
The six-month works schedule was initially planned with nine closures, but the team has synchronised most of the work on the twin box structure and the Water Orton viaducts into the same weekends.
This means the total number of motorway closures has reduced from nine to six.
To minimise impacts on commuters at peak traffic times, junction closures will only take place from 9pm on Friday evenings through to 5am on Monday mornings.
While HS2 says the schedule of motorway works demonstrates progress is being made, there is still a vast amount of work to do along the 140-mile route between London and Birmingham.
Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd’s chief executive, is leading a comprehensive reset of the project “to ensure the remainder of the route is delivered as efficiently as possible and for the lowest reasonable cost”.
HS2 says minimising disruption to communities and working more productively remains a clear priority.
Agnes Usciak, HS2’s senior project manager for the works, said: “The progress we’re making on the viaducts and structures next to the M6 and the M42 is already clear to see, and over the next six months, we’ll start bridging the gaps above the carriageways.
“It’s been a huge team effort to condense this vast programme of work into just six weekend closures, and I’d like to thank all our partners for their co-operation and support.
“Safety will always be our number one priority, which is why we need to divert traffic away from the carriageway while we conduct these vital works.”
The M42 overhead works begin on the evening of Friday June 26, with the installation of the roof deck for the twin box.
This 300-metre-long structure will allow the high-speed line to be built over the M42.
Once complete, vehicles will drive through the box, while trains travel above.
At the same time, engineers in Water Orton will extend two single-track viaducts that will carry high-speed trains into Birmingham Curzon Street and the rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath.
The installation of the M6 South Viaduct West requires just one weekend motorway closure, which will commence at 9pm on Friday August 21.