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HS2 has successfully completed the installation of a 1,600-tonne steel and concrete bridge in Saltley, Birmingham. The Aston Church Road bridge, an impressive structure measuring 84 meters in length and 21 meters in width, was carefully positioned over the existing Birmingham to Derby railway line and will soon accommodate high-speed HS2 trains entering and exiting Birmingham.
The bridge was constructed on land adjacent to the railway and moved into place over a single weekend, a method designed to minimize disruption to rail passengers. The heavy lifting was carried out by Mammoet, who utilized two 128-wheeled self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to shift the massive structure into position. The operation was further facilitated by Pod-Trak, who laid a matting bed over the tracks to ensure a level surface for the move.
The bridge, designed by a joint venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra for HS2’s main contractor in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), incorporates several features based on local feedback. These include a pedestrian walkway for cyclists, an LED lighting strategy to enhance safety, and new woodland planting around the bridge. Public input also led to a design change from stainless steel to weathered steel panels with a perforated pattern, aimed at improving light, views, and creating a warmer pedestrian experience.
The project was completed during a Network Rail blockade, with the railway returned to service five hours earlier than planned. Dan Binns, project manager for Saltley Area at Balfour Beatty VINCI, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, noting the complexity of maneuvering the bridge over four existing railway lines. He highlighted that building the bridge offsite and then moving it into place on wheels significantly reduced disruption for rail passengers, completing the operation in just five hours.
