HS2 ENGINEERS are ready to start installing the roof beams on a new box structure that will span both carriageways of the M42 near Solihull.
Once complete, vehicles will drive through the 300-metre-long ‘twin box’, while trains travel above.
The installation follows the completion of two supporting walls – constructed on either side of the carriageway. Inside the central reservation, a central pier of 46 supporting columns is nearing completion.
The twin box structure is situated on the mainline of the HS2 route, less than a mile from where the new Interchange Station will be built in Solihull.
It will carry four railway tracks over the motorway and sits directly between the Packington embankment and the Pool Wood embankment.
The work will be completed overnight during the weekends, starting at 5pm on Friday to 5am on Monday on the weekend of June 26 to 29, July 24 to 27, August 14 to 17 and September 18 to 21.
Agnes Usciak, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager for the works, said: “This is a huge moment for the project, and a clear sign of the progress we are making as we begin bridging the gaps over the region’s motorway network.
“This is British engineering at its very best, and it’s fantastic that a UK-based firm has led the way in developing this innovative design solution for the twin box, with manufacturing taking place in the midlands.”
M42 Northbound traffic road users are advised that the M42 will be closed from Junction 5a and are advised to leave the M42 at junction 5a to join the A4545 towards the A45
Traffic wishing to access the NEC/Resorts World and National Motorcycle Museum will be able to gain access from A45/M42 junction 6 where signed exits are in place.
Ian Doust, National Highways’ head of network planning and development, said: “Throughout the process our focus has been on minimising disruption for those who use our roads and we have worked closely with HS2 and their partners to that end. We welcome the innovative measures being taken which will substantially reduce the impact of this huge infrastructure project on our road users.
“We appreciate that there will still be some disruption during these weekend closures so we would advise people to leave extra time for journeys and choose alternative routes if at all possible.”
Visit www.hs2.org.uk/hs2-motorway-works for more information.
