ROAD closures are set to go ahead this weekend as work progresses to extend the high-speed railway over the Midlands motorway network.
The M42 will be closed from 9pm tomorrow (Friday) through to 5am on Monday, July 27 between junction six to nine northbound and junction 7a to 6 southbound.
Junction 4a of the M6 – the southbound link to the M42 will also be closed in both directions.
National Highways said to allow construction materials to be brought safely into the works area, the M6toll will also be closed southbound at T2 from 10pm tonight until midday on Saturday, July 25.
There will be a diversion route in place via the A446 southbound to M6 J4 then M6 southbound.
To facilitate the entire weekend construction works, there will be a further closure of the M6toll northbound connecting road between M6 J3a to T1 from 9pm on Friday, 24 July until 5am on Monday, 27 July 2026.
There will be a diversion route in place via M6 J4 – A446 northbound to Junction T1 on the M6toll. Access will also be restricted from the M42 northbound.
Outside of these works, the M6toll remains fully open as normal.
The closure are to allow HS2 engineers to carry out work on the Water Orton viaducts and the “twin box” structure over the M42.
In June, a team of 150 engineers began the four-phase operation to install 175 roof beams on the twin box covering both carriageways of the M42.
Once complete, it will carry trains over a 300-metre-long section of the carriageway, near Solihull, while vehicles pass below.
Oliver Shore, project director for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “We have specialist teams ready to deliver the next exciting phase of construction over the M42 motorway this weekend.
“Our engineers will begin the process of extending the Water Orton viaducts over the M42, while a separate team will continue to install the next set of concrete roof beams on top of our twin box structure near Solihull.
“Both of these complex operations are taking place during the same weekend to minimise disruption to motorists as much as possible.”
For more information about HS2’s programme of works over the motorway network, click here.
