Major West Midlands motorway to shut this weekend in both directions for key HS2 works
Here’s what you need to know
The M6 will be closed in both directions between junctions 4 to 4a this weekend (September 27), for HS2 works to be completed.
The roadworks include closing the M42 junction 7a to M6 southbound, between Saturday 27th-Sunday 28th September ahead of a planned reopening on Monday 29th September.
The closure is happening to make way for another 'viaduct slide' manoeuvre this coming weekend. It comes as the HS2 works continue to be carried out in Birmingham.
To reduce disruption for motorists, the twin 320-metre-long viaducts – the M6 South Viaducts – are being assembled to one side and will be slid over the road over a series of weekends.
In June, the first phase of the operation saw the first viaduct – the east deck – slid 119m out over the M6 junction 4 slip road, adjacent to the motorway.
Phase two of this manoeuvre – due to happen this weekend – will see the deck launched across the M6 northbound and southbound carriageways, including the M42 junction 7a northbound link for the M6 southbound.
The viaducts will ultimately carry HS2 trains over the M6 near Birmingham Airport, Birmingham Business Park and the NEC in Solihull
Timelapse and drone footage of the site will be available, as well as the opportunity to interview the engineers involved and film the first part of the sliding operation.