HS2 bridge move underway in Birmingham this week

A 1,631-tonne HS2 bridge is being moved into place over Lawley Middleway in Birmingham this week, marking a key milestone in the rail link’s approach to Curzon Street station.

HS2’s main works contractor in the Midlands, the Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) joint venture, is delivering the operation with specialist bridge-move contractor Mammoet. The 112-metre-long steel span, built over the past two years on land beside Digbeth Canal, will form part of a one-mile stretch of five connected viaducts.

On 15 August, Mammoet began rotating the structure 90 degrees using self-propelled modular transporters [SPMTs].

Between 16 and 23 August, a skidding system with a jacking push-pull mechanism is being used alongside the transporters to slide the span into position over the ring road – a first for BBV on HS2.

The move is taking place during overnight closures from 10pm to 6am, with the bridge shifting about 12 metres each night. Lawley Middleway is due to fully reopen at 6am on 24 August.

Greg Sugden, HS2 head of delivery for the Curzon Approaches stretch of the line, said: “The team have worked hard to get us ready for yet another significant feat of engineering, marking a further step forward in the construction of the high-speed railway into Birmingham.

“The Curzon Approaches is a complex and challenging section, with the railway being carefully designed and constructed through an urban landscape and network of roads, railways and canals.”

BBV project manager Georgios Markakis said: “This operation is a first for BBV, combining SPMTs and a skidding system to lift, rotate and move this giant structure into place.

“Work is progressing well on this whole section of the Curzon Approaches, delivered by a team of more than 250 people, including steel welders, steel fixers, joiners and engineering apprentices. 

“Importantly, we’ve worked closely with Transport for West Midlands and Birmingham City Council to plan the operation during the low-traffic holiday period and keep the road open during the day, minimising disruption to road users.”

The structure will connect to other new viaducts – Duddeston Junction, Curzon 1, Curzon 2 and Curzon 3 – carrying high-speed trains from the west portal of the Bromford Tunnel into the city centre.

Source: HS2 press release