The final two spans of Water Orton Viaduct 2 have been lifted into place above the M42, completing all six spans needed to carry HS2's high-speed trains across the motorway. Each section weighs around 1,000 tonnes and stretches for 45 metres, with the work carried out by a team of 75 people above the motorway's southbound carriageway.
Engineering operation details
The spans were assembled using 18 pre-cast concrete sections each, manufactured at Balfour Beatty VINCI's concrete batching plant in Kingsbury. Completed sections were transported into position using self-propelled modular transporters and secured with tensioning cables inside the hollow centre of the viaduct.
The M42 reopened at around 4am on Monday, September 21, after the latest work was completed. Water Orton Viaduct 1 had already been extended across the motorway in August.
Part of HS2's delta junction
The two Water Orton viaducts form the top of HS2's triangular "delta junction", which will connect Birmingham with the main line heading north. Their route crosses not only the M42 but also the A446, the Birmingham to Peterborough railway line and the River Tame. When trains begin using HS2's dedicated tracks, they will be able to travel at a maximum operating speed of 320kmh, or 200mph.
Quotes and further work
Agnes Usciak, HS2 Ltd's senior project manager, said: "I'd like to thank motorists and local residents for their patience during this huge programme of work - our biggest yet over the motorway network. Splitting a huge construction programme into four separate weekends requires meticulous planning, and our engineers executed the entire operation with pinpoint precision, ensuring the motorway reopened on time, every time. Structural completion of the Water Orton viaducts and the twin box means the end is in sight for our bumper programme of motorway works this year."
Oliver Shore, project director for Balfour Beatty VINCI, added: "The twin box and Water Orton Viaducts are three major structures that cross the busy M42 motorway. In just four weekends, we've completed the bridging works on each of them, closing the gap over the north and southbound carriageways. This was a huge engineering challenge and I'm so proud of the way our teams have responded. Their skill, dedication and hard work throughout the summer means we can move forward to the next exciting phase of our work."
The motorway closure was also used for work on the separate "twin box" structure around three miles further south. A team of 150 workers installed the final 44 beams above the southbound carriageway near the NEC, completing the roof of the 300-metre-long structure.
More work remains at Water Orton. Engineers are due to extend Water Orton Viaduct 2 by another 40 metres to close the remaining gap above Gilson Road. The M42 is also due to close again from 9pm on Friday, October 23 until 5am on Monday, October 26 while parapets are installed on the sections directly above the motorway.
