First HS2 viaduct completes deck beam installation

In early December 2023, a viaduct in Northamptonshire has become the first on the HS2 project to have all its deck beams installed as work on the project continues to ramp up between London and the West Midlands. The 163 m long Highfurlong Brook Viaduct, near the village of Aston le Walls, is one of more than 50 major viaducts being built as part of the HS2 project.

Consisting of seven spans, the viaduct crosses the brook at a height of around 9 m. Each span is made up of four beams weighing up to 56 tonnes, which were lifted into position over two months to form the backbone of the structure. Each of the beams - which are up to 25 m long - were manufactured off site before being delivered over night to reduce disruption for local road users. The deck - which will support the track and electrical systems - will be installed next year, as well as the parapets along either side.

The viaduct is one of 15 being built by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB - a group made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall. They will also deliver the earthworks that will support the railway at either end. Highfurlong Brook is a tributary of the River Cherwell, which joins the Thames at Oxford. The viaduct crosses both the brook and its floodplain.

Paul Cooper, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager said: “Once complete, HS2 will transform journeys between London and the West Midlands, freeing up space on the busiest part of the west coast mainline and helping to boost growth around the major station sites. But it’s also important that we reduce disruption for communities during construction. Off-site manufacturing of deck beams and out of hours delivery is an important part of that effort and it’s great to see them all now in position at Highfurlong Brook.”

The last few weeks has also seen significant progress at HS2’s other major viaducts, with the first concrete poured for the approach viaducts at Birmingham Curzon Street station and the first beams installed at Thame Valley near Aylesbury. In total, HS2 is building more than 500 bridging structures - ranging from small road bridges to massive viaducts like record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct which will become the longest in the UK and recently passed the half-way point.