A viaduct in Northamptonshire has officially become the first on the HS2
project to be completed as engineers working for the high speed rail project
installed the last stretch of parapet along the sides.
The 163m long Highfurlong Brook Viaduct, near the village of Aston le Walls,
is one of more than 50 being built as part of the new rail project, which is
designed to improve journeys between London and the North, while freeing up
space on the most crowded part of the existing West Coast Mainline for more
freight and local services.
Consisting of seven spans, the viaduct crosses Highfurlong Brook’s
floodplain at a height of around 9m. Each span is made up of four beams
weighing up to 56 tonnes and were lifted into position last year to form the
backbone of the structure.
Each of the beams – which are up to 25m 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 – was poured in
situ earlier this year, with the parapets along each side manufactured off site
and installed over the last four months.
The viaduct is one of around 500 bridging structures on the HS2 project
which range from small road bridges and drainage culverts to massive viaducts
like the record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct which will become the longest in
the UK when its deck is completed.
Bill Price, HS2 Ltd’s Project
Client said: “The
completion of our first viaduct is a major moment for the HS2 project and I’d
like to thank everyone in our integrated project team and supply chain partners
who have worked so hard to get us where we are today.
“It’s great to see Highfurlong Brook
finished and I look forward to seeing many more of our viaducts, bridges,
stations and tunnels come together over the next few years.”
Highfurlong Brook was delivered over two years by HS2’s main works
contractor EKFB – a group made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and
Bam Nuttall. The design was done by EKFB’s design partner ASC working with
architect Moxon.
With the viaduct now structurally complete, the next phase of construction
will include delivering the earthworks that support the railway at either end
before a separate set of contractors comes in to install the rail systems,
including track, signalling, power and communications systems.
HS2 between London and the West Midlands is expected to start operation
between 2029 and 2033.
Scott Corsar, EKFB’s Project
Manager said: “We
have achieved many ‘firsts’ with Highfurlong Viaduct, from the first viaduct to
have its full deck installed to the first structurally complete viaduct on the
HS2 programme following the recent installation of 136 parapets.
“This would not have been possible
without the hard work, consistency and collaboration of everyone involved with
the structure, from our designers down to our operatives out on site.”
