HS2 teams successfully slide viaduct over West Midlands motorway
A video has shown the new viaduct being successfully slid into place near Birmingham Airport.
A major section of HS2 has been successfully slid into place in the region.
A video has shown the viaduct section, which weighs 3,726 tonnes, being slid into place over the M6 between Friday and Monday, with more than 100 people working on the project, including installing parapets for the structure.
The motorway was closed between J4 and J4A northbound and southbound of the M6, including the M42 J7A link to M6 southbound, while the work was going on.
A spokesman for HS2 Ltd said: “Our teams have successfully slid a huge viaduct section over the M6 motorway near Birmingham Airport.
“The M6 South viaduct west deck, weighing 3,726 tonnes, was slid 76.6m into place and the road reopened ahead of schedule.
“Whilst the viaduct was being moved, our teams also used the closure to install 38 parapets for the structure, with 20 people working on the parapet operation alone.
“In total, over 100 people worked across the day and night shifts to make this happen.”
Another closure will take place from 9pm Friday, September 18 to 5am on Monday, September 21.
The locations affected will be the M42 between junctions 6 to 9 northbound, the M42 between junctions 9 to 6 southbound, including M6 J4a southbound link to M42 in both directions, M6 northbound J3a link to M6 toll T1 and M6 Toll southbound from T2.
A fully signed diversion route will be in place.