In Birmingham, UK, a 112-metre steel bridge weighing 1,631 tonnes is scheduled to be moved into position over Lawley Middleway as part of the high-speed rail link to Curzon Street Station. Built adjacent to the Digbeth Canal to limit disruption, the structure will be manoeuvred using a combination of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) and a skidding system during night-time operations.
The bridge, delivered by HS2’s main works contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI and heavy-lifting specialist Mammoet, is part of a one-mile viaduct network connecting the Bromford Tunnel to station platforms. The engineering approach—combining SPMTs with skidding—marks a first for the contractor on HS2, and the operation has been planned to keep daytime traffic flowing while avoiding entry into Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone.
“The 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.” said Greg Sugden HS2’s Head of Delivery for the Curzon Approaches.
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