HS2 engineers have completed the first major phase of the Duddeston Junction Viaduct launch, successfully moving the first 170m of the new structure over key freight railway lines in Birmingham, UK.
The 700m-long viaduct is said to be the longest of the five interconnecting Curzon Approaches viaducts leading towards Curzon Street Station.
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According to HS2, the viaduct is constructed with a 3% gradient and a curved alignment, which adds to the complexity of its logistics and planning.
The latest milestone marks the start of an extended operation to carry the viaduct over six active railway lines, three used for freight and three for passenger services, a process expected to conclude by mid-2027.
HS2 Curzon Approaches senior project manager Tony Zakaria said: “Launching the fifth and final viaduct on the Curzon Approaches is a clear sign of the progress we are making to bring high speed rail to Birmingham.
“This final mile stretch of the HS2 route into the city centre is extremely challenging and we’ve worked exceptionally hard, in conjunction with Network Rail, to plan the whole operation with minimum disruption to both passenger and rail freight services.”
HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), began preparatory work for the Duddeston Junction Viaduct in 2023, which included relocating major utilities and addressing ground contamination.
In order to create a safe and accessible site, the team diverted two out of the three affected freight lines onto a newly constructed bridge and embankment.
Delivered in partnership with Network Rail, this realignment established a 20m-wide passage to assemble and launch the viaduct over the existing tracks.
Construction is taking place in a restricted urban space bordered by live rail operations and an industrial estate, with up to 90 engineers and operatives on site.
The viaduct itself is comprised of 14 spans, each approximately 55m in length and altogether weighing around 6,835 tonnes.
The launch technique involves assembling each span at the rear of the structure before sliding it forward to cross the tracks, with the final seven spans to be installed by crane beyond the railway lines.
Following the completion of work over the freight lines, the next significant phase will see the viaduct launched over the passenger lines, scheduled to begin in December.
The operation is managed to ensure minimal disruption to rail traffic, the company said.
When finished, the viaduct will link the Bromford Tunnel area through Saltley and into Curzon Street Station, raising HS2’s tracks 12m above ground to clear the existing railway lines.
Network Rail and HS2 are advising rail users to plan ahead for upcoming works, particularly during the August bank holiday weekend, when construction near Duddeston will impact rail services to facilitate the installation of the Saltley viaduct section. Passengers are encouraged to consult National Rail Enquiries before travelling.
