HS2 ENGINEERS have put the the first part of a major 320-metre-long viaduct into position that will carry high speed trains across the M6 near Birmingham Airport.
The first stage of the project saw the East Deck of the M6 South viaduct slid 119m out over a slip road adjacent to the motorway.
To reduce disruption for motorists, the viaduct deck is being assembled to one side and slid across the motorway over three weekends, with each part pushed out before later sections are added behind them.
This multi-stage process means that the weight of the deck will increase with each push from 1,3000 tonnes, to 3,290 for the final slide.
These subsequent slides will take the deck out over the main M6 carriageway and then finally the M6-M42 link roads.
The East Deck will carry two tracks taking trains towards London while an adjacent West Deck will carry a further two tracks for services heading to Birmingham and further north.
This will be assembled and slid out next year using the same technique.
Liam Kenney, HS2 Ltd’s senior project manager said: “Once complete, these twin viaducts will carry high speed trains over the M6 helping to improve journeys and free up space on the existing rail network for more freight and local services.
“I’d like to thank everyone who is worked so hard to deliver the first slide safely and efficiently opening the road to traffic 11 hours early.”
The complex operation is being led by HS2’s main works contractor, BBV – a team made up of Balfour Beatty and VINCI, supported by specialist steelwork company Victor Buyck Steel Construction (VBSC).
The team are working closely with National Highways and other key local stakeholders including the NEC and Birmingham Airport.
Russell Luckhurst, the Balfour Beatty VINCI’s engineer leading the delivery of the works, said: “This complex viaduct spanning the M6 motorway and adjoining slip roads is really beginning to take shape, now we’ve successfully moved the first section into place.
“It’s a huge achievement for the dedicated project team who’ve worked tirelessly over the past three years to reach this point.
“We’re now focussed on delivering the next phase, which includes two further launches later in the year.”
