HS2 Construction Updates - Birmingham Area

[Snow1964]

There is a handy zoomable map with all the names of the various viaducts, cuttings, embankments etc on this link

Delta Junction

www.hs2.org.uk

13 viaducts taking high speed tracks over motorways, local roads, existing rail lines, rivers and floodplains. The viaducts include 6 precast segmental viaducts, 4 composite viaducts and 3 low viaducts.

 

[chris2]

Thanks for the replies. All very interesting and yes I think it does seem reasonable suggestion that they will use the SPMT technique to drive the spans onto the road and then lower them into position. I can’t see a bridge slide being done in this case. Nor a continuation of the current viaduct method, given that they would surely have to close the road while the spans were being built.

In terms of the pier positioning and possible realigning of the road, the abutments do appear to be further away from the motorway than in the image posted above. So unless the whole road is going to be realigned quite significantly I wonder if perhaps this image is just a guide. If they’re building the spans offline, perhaps it’s easier to build them to be strong enough for the extra distance?

 

[stuving]

Thanks for the replies. All very interesting and yes I think it does seem reasonable suggestion that they will use the SPMT technique to drive the spans onto the road and then lower them into position. I can’t see a bridge slide being done in this case. Nor a continuation of the current viaduct method, given that they would surely have to close the road while the spans were being built.

In terms of the pier positioning and possible realigning of the road, the abutments do appear to be further away from the motorway than in the image posted above. So unless the whole road is going to be realigned quite significantly I wonder if perhaps this image is just a guide. If they’re building the spans offline, perhaps it’s easier to build them to be strong enough for the extra distance?

The piers that are being built are spaced just under 90 m apart over the M42 and link road, and we know there will be another pier in each wide gap. So the spans will be close to the normal 45 m throughout. That picture was done to show neighbours what the landscaping would look like when mature, so it doesn't need to be technically exact. But I was reckoning that whether a slip road went round the outside or inside of a pier was a yes/no fact the artist would think must be shown. The width of the lanes and central reservation is a softer, less factual, fact and getting it right matters a lot less.

 

[Snow1964]

A new short drone video of Curzon Street area, about 1minute in, the massive new steel bridge is now partly visible in its assembly site by station throat (it has been covered in a marquee size protective tent like structure for months). This will need to be moved (multi wheel self propelled transporter ?) so guessing it is getting closer to being ready to move into position.

 

[Tobberz]

A new short drone video of Curzon Street area, about 1minute in, the massive new steel bridge is now partly visible in its assembly site by station throat (it has been covered in a marquee size protective tent like structure for months). This will need to be moved (multi wheel self propelled transporter ?) so guessing it is getting closer to being ready to move into position.

The foundations are storming along!

 

[Snow1964]

New official HS2 video of progress (May 2025) on Birmingham approaches, including mockup fly through. Has quite detailed info on the various bridges and viaducts, and how some of them will be assembled and moved into position.

 

[Russel]

This is certainly an impressive bit of engineering!

Can't wait for it to open.

 

[chris2]

Nice close up shots of the beginnings of the M42 / M6 Toll bridge. The red/blue structure looks the same technique used for the first spans of the River Tame viaduct, reported by HS2 here in Dec 23. The two steel trusses create a frame for the segments to be dropped onto and supported by while the internal tensioning is installed.

No sign of any intermediate piers in the middle of the motorway or on the embankment yet.

 

[swt_passenger]

Nice close up shots of the beginnings of the M42 / M6 Toll bridge. The red/blue structure looks the same technique used for the first spans of the River Tame viaduct, reported by HS2 here in Dec 23. The two steel trusses create a frame for the segments to be dropped onto and supported by while the internal tensioning is installed.

No sign of any intermediate piers in the middle of the motorway or on the embankment yet.

I think, (going by the drawing in post #330), the two approach embankments will be extended much closer to the northbound carriageway and will be built around the concrete abutments that are partially completed.

 

[bobjarred05]

 

[bib]

Some design changes for Curzon St have been approved by the council

HS2 Curzon Street station redesign approved as timber roof axed

Change to meet stricter fire safety rules and cut maintenance costs

www.constructionenquirer.com

Appears to relate to the following planning application "2024/08069/PA | Land bounded by Curzon Street, Eastside Park & Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham, B4"

The revised proposal includes mainly 14 changes to the last approved scheme. These changes are as follows: 1. The timber cassettes proposed to be used for the roof soffit have been changed to aluminium. 2. The roof edge material has been changed from ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to aluminium. 3. The east gable façade has moved eastwards, and the roof squared off. 4. The long facades have been refined: -Buttress columns encased in precast concrete -Reconfiguration of the rainwater pipes -Introduction of a ventilator catwalk; and -Creation of an extra bay to the northern back of house which has been recessed and glazed 5. Use of low iron glass is now confined to the west gable and retail shopfronts. 6. The gable end glazing format has been changed from landscape to portrait. 7. Station Square public lifts have been enclosed and unified with retail shopfronts. 8. The glass rooflights have been changed to Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and the roof cowls have been reconfigured. 9. New Canal Street viaduct beams have been changed from in-situ concrete to pre cast reinforced concrete. 10. The Eastern Concourse paid concourses have been unified creating a single paid Concourse. 11. The north entrance of the Eastern Concourse has been reconfigured. 12. The southeast corner of the Eastern Concourse has been reconfigured. 13. The south entrance of the Eastern Concourse has been reconfigured. 14. Eastern Concourse public realm has been redesigned (for information only and would be part of a separate public realm application)

Found some images, looks like the roof overhang has been cut back at the rear. It's a bit like St Pancras with a big arch at the front and flat roof at the back


Looks like they have now actually designed the glazing at the ends of the arched section, rather than having them magically suspended

And added an actual entrance at the south-east end of the station

 

[erikvd28]

The Cross City line between Birmingham and Lichfield Trent Valley will close for 9 days from 26 July till 3 August so HS2 can build the new viaduct as mentioned in the video of #336

Passengers warned of delays when Cross City Line shuts between Lichfield and Birmingham this summer - Lichfield Live®

Passengers in Lichfield are being warned of a lengthy closure of the Cross City Line this summer.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

 

[The Planner]

The Cross City line between Birmingham and Lichfield Trent Valley will close for 9 days from 26 July till 3 August so HS2 can build the new viaduct as mentioned in the video of #336

Passengers warned of delays when Cross City Line shuts between Lichfield and Birmingham this summer - Lichfield Live®

Passengers in Lichfield are being warned of a lengthy closure of the Cross City Line this summer.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

Its a slide more than a build.

 

[chris2]

The Cross City line between Birmingham and Lichfield Trent Valley will close for 9 days from 26 July till 3 August so HS2 can build the new viaduct as mentioned in the video of #336

Passengers warned of delays when Cross City Line shuts between Lichfield and Birmingham this summer - Lichfield Live®

Passengers in Lichfield are being warned of a lengthy closure of the Cross City Line this summer.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

This is the Bellingham bridge, no? If so, that’s much sooner than I was expecting. Last images I saw of it they only had about a quarter of the steel beams in place.

 

[bobjarred05]

This is the Bellingham bridge, no? If so, that’s much sooner than I was expecting. Last images I saw of it they only had about a quarter of the steel beams in place.

Believe so this was the progress 2 weeks ago

looks to me to be progressing fairly quickly.

 

[chris2]

Believe so this was the progress 2 weeks ago

looks to me to be progressing fairly quickly.

Yes, it just seems very quick compared to the other steel structures in the Curzon approaches that’s all. The Lawley Middleway structure has been in the same position and seemingly the same size (although under wraps) for over a year. Guess if they want to go faster, they can.

It’ll be interesting to watch in any case.