HS2 work near Warwickshire village will cause motorway closure this weekend
Major HS2 work near a Warwickshire village will cause part of the M42 to be closed this weekend and on other weekends in August and September.
The high-speed rail company’s engineers will work on the Water Orton viaducts and the ‘twin box’ structure over the M42 from tomorrow (Friday July 24) with a target to install 44 beams before the carriageway reopens on Monday July 27 at 5am.
Agnes Usciak, HS2’s senior project manager said: “This summer marks the most significant programme of work yet to carry HS2 over the motorway network.
“We have a huge engineering challenge ahead of us, and our engineers will be working day and night to extend three huge structures in tandem.
“Motorists travelling on the southbound carriageway will have seen the roof deck taking shape on the twin box, and from Monday morning, the northbound carriageway transformation will also be clear to see.”
Tomorrow’s M42 closure will begin at 9pm and impact J6 to 9 northbound, and J7a to 6 southbound.
This includes the M6 J4a southbound link to the M42 in both directions.
To allow construction materials to be brought safely into the works area, the M6toll will also be closed southbound at T2 from 10pm on Friday, 24 July until noon on Saturday (July 25).
Motorists will need to exit the M6toll at Junction T2.
There will be a diversion route in place via the A446 southbound to M6 J4 then M6 southbound.
To facilitate the entire weekend construction works, there will be a further closure of the M6toll northbound connecting road between M6 J3a to T1 from 9pm tomorrow.
There will be a diversion route in place via M6 J4 – A446 northbound to Junction T1 on the M6toll.
Access will also be restricted from the M42 northbound.
Outside of these works, the M6toll will remain fully open as normal.
Aling with the closures to support the twin box and Water Orton viaducts, works also continue on the M6 to push HS2’s M6 South Viaduct into position.
These works have been scheduled to ensure they do not overlap with the M42 weekend closures.
Motorists are advised to follow the approved diversion routes, and avoid using sat navs where possible, as this may divert to different routes, causing congestion on local roads.
For more information visit www.hs2.org.uk/hs2-motorway-works