West Midlands’ largest single-span railway bridge installed

Network Rail and Skanska have installed the largest single-span rail bridge in the West Midlands on the Stechford to Aston line.

The new bridge, fabricated by Severfield, replaces an old nine-span structure that been previously demolished. Weighing 2,600t in total, the new bridge required 1,000t of structural steelwork.

The bridge was pre-assembled in a compound adjacent to the existing railway lines before 18 Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) moved the structure into place. The installation took just under three hours to complete.

Constructing the bridge onsite is said to have reduced carbon emissions and cut the number of lorry movements on local roads, therefore minimising the impact on the local community.

Patrick Cawley, Director for ‘On Network Works’ for HS2 and Network Rail, said: “Moving this 2,600t bridge into place was no mean feat and the new structure will ensure Britain’s new zero-carbon, high-speed railway, HS2, works in harmony with the existing rail routes into the second city.

“Huge amounts of planning and effort went into this complex bridge move and I’d like to pay tribute to all of those who’ve worked so hard to bring this impressive structure to Birmingham’s skyline.”

The new rail over rail bridge will pave the way for the new HS2 line approach into Birmingham City centre and the planned HS2 Midlands Maintenance Depot.