HS2 completes steel and concrete bridge project in Birmingham
HS2 has now moved a 1,600-tonne steel and concrete bridge into place in Saltley, Birmingham.
Aston Church Road bridge, measuring 84 meters long and 21 meters wide, was positioned over the existing Birmingham to Derby railway line and will also span the new HS2 tracks, accommodating high-speed trains entering and exiting Birmingham.
The technique used to construct the bridge on land adjacent to the existing railway and moving it into place over a single weekend minimises disruption to rail passengers.
Heavy lifting experts Mammoet employed two 128-wheeled self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to position the bridge, using a matting bed laid over the tracks by Pod-Trak to ensure a level surface.
Designed by a joint venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra for HS2’s main contractor in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), the bridge incorporates local feedback into its design.
It features a pedestrian walkway for cyclists, an LED lighting strategy to enhance safety and new woodland planting around the structure.
Public input led to a design change from stainless steel to weathered steel panels with a perforated pattern, enhancing light and views and creating a warmer, more inviting pedestrian experience.
HS2’s contractors completed the project during a Network Rail blockade, returning the railway to Network Rail five hours earlier than planned.
Dan Binns, project manager for Saltley Area for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said:“There’s an immense sense of pride within the team after successfully positioning an 84-meter, 1,600-tonne bridge last weekend. This operation was highly complex, particularly because the bridge had to be maneuvered over four existing railway lines, which required years of meticulous planning and preparation.
“We opted to move the bridge on wheels to build it offsite first, allowing us to shift it across in just five hours, significantly minimising disruption for rail passengers.”
