HS2 engineers jack 1,100t viaduct into place over M42 and M6 link roads

The technique to move the East M42-M6 Link Viaduct allowed engineers greater flexibility during the launch operation, enabling them to move the bridge backwards or side to side as needed.

The work which took 13 hours was carried out by 25 people working for Victor Buyck Steel Construction (VBSC), a specialist steelwork company.

VBSC was working on behalf of HS2’s main works contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV).

The operation was completed 10 hours ahead of schedule during a weekend road closure, enabling the motorway link roads to be opened earlier than planned. It is part of HS2’s complex Delta Junction network of viaducts outside Birmingham.

HS2 Ltd said it worked with BBV and National Highways to “minimise disruption for people using the roads and enabling this engineering feat to take place”.

The first major movement of the viaduct happened in February 2024 when the first 84m section was brought to its halfway point over the westbound link toad. It was the first time VBSC used the push-pull jacking technique in the UK.

Speaking at the time of the first movement, VBSC project manager Tibo Suvée said: “Our team were pleased to deliver this successful operation, which was the first time our push-pull jacking system has been used in the UK.

“The technique provides greater flexibility during the launching operation by allowing the bridge to be moved backwards or both ways if needed.

“This is really the first milestone of four, and over the next eight months we look forward to delivering the second launch of the East Link Viaduct and the same two-stage operation for the West Link Viaduct, which will complete these first viaducts on Delta Junction.”

The Delta Junction section of HS2 will allow high speed trains to move seamlessly between the high-speed network’s stations in Solihull and Brimingham and connect to the West Coast Main Line.

It is made up of embankments, cuttings and a total of 13 viaducts taking high speed tracks over motorways, local roads, existing rail lines, rivers and floodplains. The viaducts include six precast segmental viaducts, four composite viaducts and three low viaducts.

Three steel girders were welded to the back of the first section and 38 precast concrete slabs were installed to finish the 158m long structure.

HS2 said that by installing the slabs before launch, “the number of highway closures required to finish the composite deck has been significantly reduced helping to keep future closures of the link road to a minimum”.

The second and final launch moved the structure to its permanent position over both westbound and eastbound motorway link roads.

Over the summer, a similar two-stage operation will move the West M42-M6 Link Viaduct which HS2 described as “identical” to the East M42-M6 Link Viaduct and will run parallel to the East Link Viaduct.

HS2 Delta Junction overview

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