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Contractors for HS2 are moving a 112-metre long, 1,631-tonne steel structure over a section of Lawley Middleway, part of Birmingham鈥檚 ring road.
The operation will be delivered by HS2鈥檚 main works contractor in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) and subcontractor Mammoet, the Dutch heavylift specialist.
The bridge, part of HS2鈥檚 Curzon Approaches, was built off-line rather than in situ, on land next to Digbeth Canal, to reduce traffic disruption over the last two years.
Mammoet has jacked the structure up onto two self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs).
According to the programme, on Friday 15th August, the bridge will be rotated through 90 degrees on the SPMTs. From 16th to 23rd August, a skidding system with a jacking push/pull mechanism, will then be used alongside the SPMT to move the structure into place across Lawley Middleway. This combination of techniques is rarely used and is a first for BBV on the HS2 project.
To minimise disruption to road users, the span will be moved in night-time operations, moving around 12 metres every night, keeping the road open during the day.
HS2鈥檚 head of delivery for the Curzon Approaches, Greg Sugden, said: 鈥淭he 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.
鈥淭he 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.鈥�
BBV project manager Georgios Markakis said: 鈥淭his 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.鈥�
Now at peak productivity, work will progress on this section of the railway with the second Bromford Tunnel breakthrough, Curzon 2 viaduct move, first Duddeston Junction Viaduct move, reopening of Aston Church Road, demolition of the old Aston Church Road bridge and start of construction of the new Saltley Viaduct 鈥� all set to happen over the next 12 months.
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