First HS2 bridge installed over M42

Contractors working on the HS2 railway have installed a 65m-long bridge, spanning the width of the M42, in just two days and ahead of schedule.

Representing the high-speed railway’s first bridge, the 2,750t structure (which includes 1,130t of steel girders) was installed by specialist engineering contractor, Expanded and HS2 enabling works contractor, LMJV (Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons Joint Venture).

Fabricated by Cleveland Bridge and assembled offsite, it was carried into position along the motorway on a self-propelled modular transporter.

The 448-wheel unit took just one hour and 45 minutes to move the bridge span 150 metres, where it was affixed to a composite concrete deck to complete the overall bridge structure.

The project team said that traditional construction methods would have required several weeks of lane closures on both carriageways, followed by additional weekend and overnight closures.

HS2 CEO Mark Thurston, said: “This new road bridge is the first permanent structure to be installed along the route of Britain’s new railway. It represents an important milestone for the project and the West Midlands region – which is already benefiting from thousands of jobs and renewed investment as a result of HS2.

“Constructing the bridge offsite and using innovative engineering practices to install it over the motorway enabled us to carry out the work in just two days, keeping disruption to a minimum.”

Once complete HS2 will bring the West Midlands within an hour’s commute of Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, York and London, making it one of the most connected parts in the country. HS2 is already transforming the region, spearheading regeneration and economic investment in Birmingham and surrounding towns.

Andrew Stephenson MP, HS2 Minister, said: “The installation of this innovative bridge across the M42, ahead of schedule and with minimum disruption, demonstrates our dedication to delivering this vital rail connection to the West Midlands as efficiently and as quickly as possible.

“It’s an achievement of British construction and marks another step forward in this historic project, which will leave a legacy of better connections and regional growth for generations to come.”