GIANT beams have been put in place as a bridge to carry HS2 takes shape near Kenilworth.
A total of 83 concrete beams have been craned into position and will form the deck of the 91 metre bridge that will eventually be used as part of the high-speed rail line.
Each beam measures 19 metres in length, with 81 beams weighing 18.1 tonnes and two beams weighing 33 tonnes – a total of 1,532.1 tonnes.
Before the high-speed tracks are laid, the Carol Green rail bridge will form part of a haul road for HS2 construction vehicles. It will connect the north and south side of the West Coast Main Line, providing a temporary route from the Aston Martin roundabout to Burton Green. This will reduce construction traffic through the Balsall Common road network and minimise disruption for local communities.
Once operational, the bridge structure and its embankments will take the new HS2 railway diagonally over the existing West Coast Main Line.
The successful operation was delivered by a team of 30 people over 13 consecutive weekends by HS2’s construction partner Balfour Beatty.
The final phase of construction will see the installation of parapet walls and acoustic barriers, as well as backfilling and landscaping – with full completion expected in autumn 2025.
HS2 project manager Jack King said: “It takes an immense amount of skill and precision to carry out such a challenging feat of engineering and to construct these colossal structures. We’re proud to have reached this stage of the bridge’s completion ahead of schedule, which is testament to the entire team.
“Thank you to everyone involved onsite as we continue to pave the way for Britain’s new high-speed line.”
