Contractors working for HS2 have removed a 4,000 tonne bridge over the M42 to make way for the construction of the new high speed line across the motorway near the Interchange Station construction site in Solihull. A team of 20 demolition experts from Solihull-based firm Armac, working on behalf of
Network Rail engineers will be carrying out an extensive programme of engineering work at Keadby sliding bridge, near Scunthorpe, which will result in changes to train services through the area. Teams will be working for nine days from Saturday 17 to early morning on Monday 26 February to strengthen one
Dubbed ‘Google Maps for heavy industry’ Tended’s advanced Geofencing technology is currently used across the rail industry by leading organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens, Morgan Sindall and Amey to improve safety. Tended successfully closed out the £1.5 million EIS round with Wealth Club with participation from existing investor Blackfinch
Octavius Infrastructure has signed with Norfolk County Council to build the long-awaited £47M Long Stratton Bypass. The Long Stratton Bypass is a proposed 3.9km single-carriageway highway scheme which will allow drivers to reach the A140 without having to pass through the village. The job includes construction of three new roundabouts,
Yesterday HS2 marked the start of construction on the landmark Birmingham Curzon Street Station – a new rail hub that will play a vital role in the long-term economic future of the West Midlands. Birmingham Curzon Street Station, which will be net zero carbon in operation, will be the first
Yesterday HS2 celebrated the breakthrough of a tunnelling machine into its underground Old Oak Common station – marking a key milestone in plans to eventually carry the high-speed line into central London. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Lydia finished its near-kilometre long journey into the station box in a
hyperTunnel has been successful in winning UK government funding for standout railway innovations at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE). hyperTunnel’s underpass is one of 16 schemes that will be demonstrated at GCRE’s Dulais Valley site in South Wales in 2024. The underpass will demonstrate hyperTunnel’s swarm construction technique,
Engineers this week began a delicate job that will see almost half a kilometre of bridge deck slid into position over the next year, high above the Misbourne Valley in Buckinghamshire, as HS2’s innovative Wendover Dean Viaduct enters a critical new stage of construction. The 450m-long viaduct will be the
Transpennine Route Upgrade successfully concludes Christmas and New Year Projects, paving the way for a greener, faster and more reliable railway. Despite difficult weather conditions, dedicated engineers worked around the clock throughout the festive season between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York to: While the above took place, extensive piling and
The start of 2024 sees the emergence of a new brand in the UK highway sector, as Core Highways Group announces it is rebranding as Core Highways, bringing all its subsidiaries together under one brand and revealing a brand-new logo, website, colours and updated values. This strategic milestone sees the
Contractors working for HS2 have removed a 4,000 tonne bridge over the M42 to make way for the construction of the new high speed line across the motorway near the Interchange Station construction site in Solihull. A team of 20 demolition experts from Solihull-based firm Armac, working on behalf of HS2’s main works contractor in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), carried out the demolition in a 52 hour operation. The operation was coordinated in conjunction with National Highways, who were able to open the motorway section between Junctions 6 and 7 on Monday at 1.30am, which was three and a half hours earlier than planned, reducing disruption to road users. The M42 was closed in both directions late Friday evening, 9 February, and the workforce worked throughout the night to prepare the area for the demolition activities. Starting at 7am on Saturday 10 February, the demolition team used a 100 tonne excavator and a further seven 50 tonne demolition excavators to complete the operation, supplemented by numerous breaker and cruncher attachments. Six articulated dumper trucks transported the excavated material to a local stockpile where it will be crushed and reused on HS2’s haul roads and work sites. Once the bridge was demolished at around 3pm on Saturday , the debris was removed, the matting taken away, carriageway cleaned, and central reservation and verge restraint systems reinstated, ready for the motorway to be re-opened at 1.30am on Monday 12 February. It is the second of two 4,000 tonne bridges in close proximity over the M42 which needed to be demolished so HS2 can build a new twin box structure, which will carry the high speed line over the motorway in the future. The operation by Armac to demolish the first bridge took place in August last year. The original plan was to demolish the second bridge next year. However, due to two drivers on the motorway below recently striking the bridge, National Highways asked HS2 to demolish the bridge sooner because it had become unsafe. Alan Payne, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd said: “This operation, delivered by local specialist firm Armac, is another step forward in the construction of HS2 in the Midlands. I’d like to thank the whole team for delivering the bridge demolition ahead of schedule, reducing disruption to roads users.” Oliver Shore, Construction Director at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “The safe and successful demolition of this 4,000-tonne bridge is another huge achievement for Balfour Beatty VINCI. This was a complex operation, made even more challenging because of the limited time we had to plan and deliver this critical work. I’m really proud of how the team responded, showcasing their skill and experience in these demanding circumstances. “It’s the second bridge removal we’ve delivered along the same stretch of motorway in just six months. Like the previous demolition last summer, every effort was made to minimise the impact on road users through careful planning and close collaboration between HS2 and National Highways.” Noel McLean, Technical Director of Armac said: “We were delighted to work with our partners HS2 and BBV again, for the demolition of the M42 North Bridge. Our primary aim is always to complete the project safely and in a controlled operation. Thankfully, the project was completed well ahead of schedule. Another successful project from the Armac ‘Bridge Busters’ and all of the BBV team.” Frank Bird, National Highways Senior Network Planner said: “We are delighted to have been able to reopen the motorway for the benefit of road users some three and a half hours earlier than planned and thank people for their ongoing patience since the bridge was hit last month. “This has been a challenging task as normally a demolition such as this would be planned over many months. Instead, everyone involved was able to mobilise resources to get it down in a matter of weeks. It has been a terrific collaborative effort with HS2 Ltd and all others involved and one I am sure road users will appreciate with all lanes now open.” This year, the BBV team will start to construct the huge twin box structure, which will carry HS2 trains over the M42. Enabling works commence in March and piling is due to commence in August. This new structure, measuring 300 metres length by 25 metres width will cover around 130 metres of the M42 and will be built in position whilst maintaining three lanes of traffic flowing on the M42. This section of HS2 railway lies between Interchange Station in Solihull and the Delta Junction, a triangular section of the line which enables trains to either travel into Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station or carry on north where trains will join the West Coast Main Line to Manchester. HS2 has already built a new, improved road structure and roundabout in this area, to improve the circulation of traffic around the HS2 railway line and connect the existing road network to the new Interchange Station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Network Rail engineers will be carrying out an extensive programme of engineering work at Keadby sliding bridge, near Scunthorpe, which will result in changes to train services through the area. Teams will be working for nine days from Saturday 17 to early morning on Monday 26 February to strengthen one of the walls of the Stainforth & Keadby canal which needs repair. During the work, new rails and other fresh track equipment will also be installed on the railway bridge. Engineers will be draining part of the canal before knocking down part of its north wall and installing a new, prefabricated concrete slab onto the wall, stabilising it and allowing train services to run over the bridge for years to come. The nine-day programme of work will result in passengers experiencing smoother and more reliable journeys as they travel by train. The original Keadby sliding bridge dates to the late 1800s and is the only bridge of its kind in the UK. The railway it carries is one of the busiest routes for freight services on Britain’s rail network and connects passengers between Doncaster and the Lincolnshire coast. Due to the improvements, there will be changes to passenger services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. Rail replacement services will operate on all days between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. For TransPennine Express passengers, replacement bus services will operate each day between Doncaster and Scunthorpe non-stop in both directions. Train services will continue to run between Liverpool Lime Street and Doncaster and also Scunthorpe to Cleethorpes. Northern will operate a Monday to Saturday replacement coach service that will call at Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle, Althorpe, and Scunthorpe. Passengers are encouraged to check their journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator. Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North & East route, said: “This extensive programme of upgrades to Keadby sliding bridge and the canal wall will be beneficial for our passengers as they experience smoother, more reliable journeys as they travel by train between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. “This is a large-scale piece of work, but we have deliberately planned to carry it out in a longer period so that our engineers can work to deliver all the vital maintenance and upgrades at once, rather than causing multiple periods of disruption. However, we know that this work will be disruptive to passengers, and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused. “We would encourage all passengers to check how their journey may be affected ahead of travelling via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator. I also want to thank passengers for their patience and understanding throughout this period.” Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “We welcome this investment in the region’s rail infrastructure and the benefits the works will bring to our passengers travelling between South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Whilst there will be short term inconvenience, this is about long-term improvements to the network and we ask for customers’ patience and understanding during the period of disruption.” Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We want to thank our customers for their patience as Network Rail carries out an extensive programme of upgrades to Keadby sliding bridge which will provide long-term improvements to the network. “We are advising customers to check before they travel at www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates or National Rail Enquiries.” At the same time, engineers will be working to carry out comprehensive repairs to the platform structure along with a like for like renewal of the existing footbridge at Althorpe station. A temporary footbridge will be installed while work is carried out to construct the new station footbridge, maintaining connections for passengers to platform 2. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dubbed ‘Google Maps for heavy industry’ Tended’s advanced Geofencing technology is currently used across the rail industry by leading organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens, Morgan Sindall and Amey to improve safety. Tended successfully closed out the £1.5 million EIS round with Wealth Club with participation from existing investor Blackfinch Ventures. In the UK, Network Rail is responsible for maintaining more than 20,000 miles of track – but despite a strong focus on trackside safety, accidents do happen causing significant financial cost and even cost lives. Network Rail has committed a specific allocation of its £44 billion, 5-year budget to improve safety, and has identified geofencing as a key technology for meeting the tightening regulations. With Tended’s solution, which uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and real time kinematics (RTK) to provide location to within 1cm, managers can set ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ locations on an easy-to-use dashboard. Meanwhile, high-precision wearables pinpoint where workers and other physical assets are located, and can alert users if they are unsafe. Tended’s commitment to workplace safety was internationally recognised when its product was featured in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023 list. This recognition illustrates the type of impactful technological solutions Blackfinch Ventures and Wealth Club aims to support through its investments. In January, Siemens Mobility announced that it would be rolling out Tended’s technology across the UK following a successful six-month pilot and small-scale deployments in the South West, where the teams were impressed by its suitability for the varied and complex projects*. Following on from its success in the rail sector, Tended is also targeting other heavy industries including Highways and Utilities. Tended is now working in partnership with the European Space Agency on the next generation of its product. Gayle Bowen, Head of Direct company investments at Wealth Club said: “Tended has achieved a great deal since launching its Geofencing product in March 2023. Not only has it secured contracts and pilots with key industry players like Siemens Mobility but it has also secured major R&D funding to complete the next iteration of its technology. We expect the Department for Transport’s anticipated changes to safety standards to be an important catalyst in this market which could further underpin Tended’s growth plans. Tended is a great example of high impact UK innovation as part of a commercially compelling EIS investment.” Leo Scott Smith, CEO of Tended said: I’m delighted to welcome Wealth Club as a shareholder at this really exciting time in our growth trajectory. We’re already starting to see the profound impact we’re having on safety and efficiency in the rail industry through the implementation of our geofencing technology. With Wealth Club on board, I’m excited to increase this impact and together, work towards our mission of putting an end to preventable fatalities in heavy industries. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Octavius Infrastructure has signed with Norfolk County Council to build the long-awaited £47M Long Stratton Bypass. The Long Stratton Bypass is a proposed 3.9km single-carriageway highway scheme which will allow drivers to reach the A140 without having to pass through the village. The job includes construction of three new roundabouts, two new junctions and two overbridges. Plans for the village bypass in Norfolk were first discussed 70 years ago and have had a number of false starts since. In September last year, the long-awaited bypass was finally granted full planning permission by South Norfolk Council. Norfolk County Council secured £26.2M from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the project in summer 2021, but in September 2022 the scheme saw its projected costs rise to £46.2M from the original £37.4M. This 23.5% rise in cost was mainly due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war driving up material and labour prices across the globe. The full business case for the new road has now been submitted to government which estimates the overall cost of delivering the route at £46.9m. Following initial preparation works which will be taking place over the coming months, the target date for the main construction work to start on the bypass is Spring 2024 with the road planned to be open to traffic before the end of 2025 after an 18-month construction period. The project will now be mainly funded with a minimum of 70% from the DfT’s Major Road Network Fund and up to 30% from local contributions made up primarily of developer contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions. The Greater Norwich Growth Board have also agreed arrangements with South Norfolk Council for the forward funding of a £4.5M developer contribution, which is in addition to the £10M CIL supported contribution it has already pledged. Long Stratton residents have campaigned and lobbied government for a bypass for decades as they hope it will cut congestion through the village. As well as the bypass, plans for 1,800 new homes and a new primary school for the area were recently approved by South Norfolk Council. Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport Graham Plant said: “This is another welcome milestone we’ve reached in this vital infrastructure project. The 3.9km road will not only solve the transport issues caused by the bottleneck on the A140 – which is a major local route – but also open-up improvements for cycling and walking in and around the town. “Once in place the scheme will cut congestion, unlock economic growth, and improve journey times across the county.” Octavius Infrastructure managing director for highways Gavin Pritchard, said: “We are delighted to be working with Norfolk County Council on such a key project, bringing significant benefits to the Long Stratton community and the wider transport network. “Our carbon reduction measures, the protection and enhancement of the local environment, and the significant sourcing of local suppliers in this region reflects our strong commitment to our sustainability and social value goals for this project.” Norfolk County Council councillor for Long Stratton Alison Thomas said, “This is great news as seeing this project continue to push forward is very welcome – not only for those who live and work in Long Stratton but also for the thousands of people who use the route and experience first-hand the daily delays and frustrations brought by the current situation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday HS2 marked the start of construction on the landmark Birmingham Curzon Street Station – a new rail hub that will play a vital role in the long-term economic future of the West Midlands. Birmingham Curzon Street Station, which will be net zero carbon in operation, will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th Century. HS2’s contractor Mace Dragados Joint Venture (MDJV) have been in Stage One of the contract since 2021, working with HS2 Ltd to develop the detailed programme. Starting this January, they will deliver major earthworks to prepare the site for piling and foundations work in the Spring, with construction of the main station building due to start in the Summer. During construction itself, hundreds of jobs will be created, including an estimated 100 new entrant roles, new apprenticeship positions and Restart scheme opportunities for unemployed people. Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “Curzon Street will become one of the most environmentally friendly stations in the world, and the gateway to Birmingham for future HS2 passengers. The start of construction represents significant progress for the UK’s largest infrastructure project, demonstrating real momentum in building the line that will transform rail travel for generations to come. “Birmingham is a hive of HS2 construction, with the project already supporting thousands of jobs and apprenticeships in and around the city. This next step at Curzon Steet Station will open up hundreds more opportunities for people across the region, providing a real boost to the economy.” Sir Jon Thompson, Executive Chair of HS2 Ltd said: “This is a major milestone for HS2 in the West Midlands, as work begins on this brand new iconic structure in the city. The connectivity created by Birmingham Curzon Street Station and its public realm will create far-reaching social and economic opportunities across Birmingham’s Eastside by linking together the learning and creative quarters, new residential developments and the city centre. “As work ramps up over the coming months, many jobs, apprenticeships and supply chain opportunities will be on offer – building on the economic benefits already making an impact in the region as a result of HS2.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Commencing construction on Curzon Street Station is a landmark moment for HS2, for our region and for the entire country. Building Curzon Street will create hundreds of jobs for local people and upgrade our rail infrastructure for the 21st Century. “This brand new station is a clear example of the tangible benefits HS2 can deliver in the months and years ahead.” Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport, Birmingham City Council said: “This is a landmark moment for Birmingham as the construction of Curzon Street Station begins. The construction of the station will see the creation of hundreds of new jobs and provide an important boost for our city’s economy. “Curzon Street Station will be at the heart of our transformed city centre, with world class public realm linking the station with our metro and bus networks. “The arrival of high speed trains to Curzon Street will be a huge moment in our city’s history, and the construction of the station brings that moment ever-closer.” Jason Millett, Mace Dragados JV Board Director, said: “HS2 Curzon Street Station presents an unparalleled opportunity to generate positive change for Birmingham and the West Midlands. Aside from the benefits of improved rail travel for millions of people across the region, the station will drive urban regeneration, connect communities, create long-term employment, and proudly stand as a hive of activity in the heart of a booming city centre. “The benefits don’t begin with the completed station, though. Building on the excellent foundations laid by the early works and main works civils contractors, we are determined to enhance HS2’s legacy by identifying and implementing opportunities to drive sustainability and achieve social value at every step of the way. “We’re looking forward to bringing industry-leading ideas, innovations and expertise from across our international construction and consultancy teams to deliver this landmark station for the West Midlands.” Work on the station façade will begin in Summer 2025, with construction of concourse steelwork and the roof due to start in Autumn 2025. The internal fit-out of the station will start towards the end of 2025 and finish at the end of 2028. Operational testing and commissioning will run from Summer 2026 to Autumn 2028. The station will deliver excellent connectivity to Eastside and Digbeth to enable wider regeneration in the area. There will be seamless connections to the local transport network including buses and the Midland Metro with a tram line running alongside and under the station, connecting the city with Digbeth. HS2 worked with WSP and Grimshaw Architects LLP on the design for Curzon Street, which is inspired by the great arched roofs built by the Victorian railway pioneers. The design takes that inspiration into the 21st Century, ensuring accessibility and a focus on the open space and landscaping around it. Once complete, HS2 will almost halve the journey time between London Euston and Birmingham to just 49 minutes, with trains running north via the existing rail network to destinations such as Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. Trains will approach Birmingham through a series of structures being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). This includes the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel and a series of five connected viaducts from Washwood Heath, and over the existing Victorian railway line, Lawley Middleway and Digbeth Canal. The final approach to the station – Curzon Viaduct No.3, also being delivered by BBV, widens from a single deck to four separate decks, spanning 65 metres at the wideset point, to carry seven tracks to the platforms Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday HS2 celebrated the breakthrough of a tunnelling machine into its underground Old Oak Common station – marking a key milestone in plans to eventually carry the high-speed line into central London. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Lydia finished its near-kilometre long journey into the station box in a move that completes the construction of the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel. The 853m long tunnel, which runs from the Atlas Road logistics hub, is being built to service the programme to construct the line eastwards towards Euston. It will eventually allow materials required for the Euston Tunnel to be transported to the site without clogging up local roads or disrupting work going on elsewhere at Old Oak Common station HS2’s London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) constructed the logistics tunnel using a TBM made from components repurposed from a machine previously used to construct London’s Elizabeth Line. The TBM is named Lydia, a name selected by the local community, after Lydia Gandaa – a former teacher at Old Oak Common Primary School. The TBM broke through into the eastern end of the Old Oak Common underground station box, which is currently under construction by a separate joint venture – Balfour Beatty Vinci SYSTRA (BBVS JV). Later this year, SCS JV will lower two additional TBMs into the box and assemble them ready to bring the HS2 line into Euston. Once they are in place BBVS JV will seal the box and continue to construct HS2’s super-hub station. Speaking about the milestone, Malcolm Codling, Project Client Director for HS2 Ltd said: “The completion of the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel takes us closer along our journey to bring HS2 into central London at Euston. The logistics tunnel is a key part of our plans to enable us to construct the Euston Tunnel and will reduce the construction impact on the local community.” Over the past nine months, TBM Lydia has removed 62,000 tonnes of London Clay, all of which is sent by rail for beneficial reuse across the UK and has installed 535 concrete rings. The segments for the tunnel rings were manufactured by Pacadar UK in Kent. A team of 100 has been working around the clock to complete the tunnel, working in shifts to operate the TBM and the above ground operations. The experienced SCS JV team have also used their expertise to develop more team members at the early stages of their careers, including apprentices and graduates for whom this was their first time constructing a bored tunnel. The logistics tunnel will be used to deliver materials to the two Euston Tunnel TBMs, including over 56,000 concrete tunnel segments manufactured by STRABAG in Hartlepool, and take away the London Clay excavated. Bringing in materials by road and removing the excavated spoil for the Euston Tunnel would have been logistically challenging and would have had significant impact local roads and on the work to construct the station. The logistics tunnel was the optimum solution to enable HS2 to reach Euston. Once the Euston Tunnel is complete and the railway is operational, the logistics tunnel will be backfilled. James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said: “The completion of the Atlas Road logistics tunnel paves the way for us to deliver our London tunnels programme to Euston. The tunnel supports our continued commitment to reducing cost and carbon by removing one million lorry journeys off London’s roads.” Following the government’s Network North announcement in October, alternative funding arrangements for the delivery of Euston station are being considered. However, work is continuing with the preparations and design of the railway between Old Oak Common and Euston. HS2 is making significant progress on the construction of the tunnels for the new railway. The Chiltern Tunnel TBMs are due to complete their work by spring, and this will be the second twin bored tunnel that has completed by HS2, alongside the Long Itchington Tunnel. Further north, HS2 is working to complete the Bromford Tunnel. In London, two further TBMs are about to launch, part of the quartet of TBMs boring the Northolt Tunnel. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
hyperTunnel has been successful in winning UK government funding for standout railway innovations at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE). hyperTunnel’s underpass is one of 16 schemes that will be demonstrated at GCRE’s Dulais Valley site in South Wales in 2024. The underpass will demonstrate hyperTunnel’s swarm construction technique, which uses AI, digital surveying and swarm robotics to effectively 3D print a structure in the ground before any excavation takes place. The result is designed to be an underground construction project that is faster and less expensive to deliver, and which carries less risk, less disruption, less waste and a lower carbon footprint than current cut-and-cover construction techniques. The project aims to provide an economically viable alternative to hazardous level crossings, while improving safety, increasing rail capacity and avoiding inconvenience to road and rail users. hyperTunnel will build a 20-metre-long pedestrian-sized tunnel under a GCRE’s test track, designed to allow the track above to remain open throughout the construction process. “We are delighted that the GCRE sees the same potential in the hyperTunnel method as our partners in the construction industry,” said hyperTunnel co-founder Steve Jordan. “Having spent many hundreds of hours developing our robot fleet in the lab in Basingstoke, the system is now ripe for being proven on a real site, in accelerated test conditions, and which can be visited by interested parties. The GCRE facility is going to be a huge opportunity for us and we can’t wait to get started and to present a feasible technological solution to the longstanding level-crossing issue.” Currently under construction in South Wales, The Global Centre of Rail Excellence is a world class facility for rail research, testing and certification of rolling stock, infrastructure and cutting-edge new technologies currently being developed in South Wales. Located on a 700-hectare site, GCRE will become Europe’s premier site for rail and mobility innovation. It aims to undertake world-class research, testing and certification of innovative new rail technologies, acting as an incubator for pioneering projects. This project is funded by the Department for Business and Trade through the competition ‘GCRE: Railway Construction Innovation Phase 2’ delivered by InnovateUK in collaboration with GCRE. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Engineers this week began a delicate job that will see almost half a kilometre of bridge deck slid into position over the next year, high above the Misbourne Valley in Buckinghamshire, as HS2’s innovative Wendover Dean Viaduct enters a critical new stage of construction. The 450m-long viaduct will be the first major railway bridge in the UK to be built with a ‘double composite’ approach, which uses significantly less carbon-intensive concrete and steel than a more traditional design – and has allowed HS2 to halve the amount of embedded carbon in the structure. It is one of 50 major viaducts on the HS2 project – which is designed to improve connections between London, Birmingham and the North while freeing up space on the most congested southern end of the existing West Coast Main Line. Instead of using solid pre-stressed concrete beams to form the spans between the viaduct piers, the ‘double composite’ structure uses two steel beams sandwiched between two layers of reinforced concrete to create a lightweight and super strong hollow span. Due to the length of the viaduct, the deck is being assembled in three stages, ranging from 90m to 180m sections, with each one pushed out from the north abutment before the next section is attached behind it. This painstaking process means that the weight of the deck will increase with each push, up from an initial 590 tonnes this week to 3700 tonnes by the end of the year. Tomas Garcia, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Civil Structures said: “Double composite structures maximise the combined strength of steel in tension and concrete in compression. This approach has been tried and tested around the world and it’s great to see it applied on this scale for the first time in the UK at Wendover Dean. “Once complete, HS2 will help enhance the existing rail network by freeing up capacity on the busy West Coast Main Line and almost halving journey times between London and Birmingham. This viaduct will play a crucial role enabling those faster and more reliable services – and I hope it will also inspire other projects around the UK to consider this innovative approach to construction.” The viaduct is being built by HS2 Ltd’s main works contractor, EKFB – a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall – with the manufacture and installation of the beams being led by specialists at Eiffage Metal. A winch is used to push the deck forward at a speed of around 9 metres per hour, sliding across Teflon pads to reduce friction – a material usually found to the surface of a non-stick frying pan. It is the longest deck slide on the HS2 project to date. At this point in the Chilterns the railway will be on a slight gradient, so to help maintain control, the deck – which will eventually weigh the same as 264 double-decker buses – is being pushed slightly uphill, with the finish point approximately 1.8m higher than start point. James Collings, EKFB’s senior engineer, said: “The project team has reached a fundamental milestone in the build of this industry-leading viaduct. We’re progressing well with the first-of-three steel launches being conducted this year and already looking forward to seeing this viaduct come to life. Along with our supply chain partners, Eiffage Metal, we’re proud to be delivering this viaduct safely and to programme.” EKFB worked with their design partner, ASC (a joint venture between Arcadis, Setec and COWI) and architects Moxon on the ‘double composite’ approach which was inspired by structures on the French high speed TGV network. The approach is set to cut the carbon footprint of the structure by 56% – saving almost 13,000 tonnes of embodied carbon – and helping HS2 achieve its goal of halving the amount of embedded carbon in construction. The beams are made of ‘weathering steel’ which naturally fades to a dark brown colour over time and will help match the natural tone of the surrounding countryside. A similar approach – using weathering steel and a double composite structure – is also being taken at the nearby Small Dean Viaduct which is currently at a much earlier stage of construction. Weathering steel gets its characteristic colour from a surface layer of corrosion which protects the steel and removes the need for regular painting. The Wendover Dean Viaduct will be supported by nine evenly spaced piers, some of which will be up to 14 metres high. These consist of a series of hollow pre-cast concrete shells – manufactured in Northern Ireland – which are placed on top of each other and filled with concrete and steel reinforcing. This approach was chosen to enable a crisp, clean external finish to the concrete, cut the amount of work on site and reduce disruption for local residents. The last few months has also seen significant progress at HS2’s other major viaducts, with the first concrete poured for the approach viaducts for Birmingham Curzon Street station, the first beams installed at Thame Valley near Aylesbury and the Delta Junction in North Warwickshire. In total, HS2 is building more than 500 bridging structures – ranging from small road bridges to massive viaducts like record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct which will become the longest in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Transpennine Route Upgrade successfully concludes Christmas and New Year Projects, paving the way for a greener, faster and more reliable railway. Despite difficult weather conditions, dedicated engineers worked around the clock throughout the festive season between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York to: While the above took place, extensive piling and electrification work was completed across various sections of the route, alongside signalling and telecommunication equipment testing. The Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, which relieves historic bottlenecks between Manchester and Sheffield, also witnessed substantial upgrades notably the replacement of a bridge just north of Dore & Totley Station. Neil Holm, Managing Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade said: “Some fantastic work has taken place over the festive period in very tough weather conditions. I’m really proud of everyone who played their part to get the jobs over the line. These achievements allow us to continue with a number of major upgrades this year, continuing TRU’s progress and bringing us closer to fast, greener and more reliable electric trains running between Manchester and York”. The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a major, multi-billion-pound programme of railway improvements which will bring better journeys to passengers travelling across the Pennines between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The start of 2024 sees the emergence of a new brand in the UK highway sector, as Core Highways Group announces it is rebranding as Core Highways, bringing all its subsidiaries together under one brand and revealing a brand-new logo, website, colours and updated values. This strategic milestone sees the trusted and respected brands of Amberon, Barrier Services, Forest Traffic, JTM Signs and MLP Traffic come together as one. With over 1,300 staff and more than 1,000 directly employed operatives working in a combined turnover business of £120m pa, Core Highways automatically becomes one of the largest temporary traffic management and barrier companies in the UK, with almost 40 depots across England and Wales, with further natural growth and expansion planned. Lizi Stewart, CEO of Core Highways, explained “Becoming Core Highways means that we can combine our knowledge and expertise for our customers across England and Wales, giving them access to more skills and expertise in temporary traffic management, barrier solutions and events signage. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team have hundreds of years of experience in providing solutions for customers across England and Wales’ road networks at high and low speed. As a team we are stronger together, supporting one another and our customers to deliver. Becoming one will give our customers quicker access us to our deep well of technical excellence as well as our innovation and best practice, such as our Decarbonisation Project Roadmap and our award-winning Digital Care Initiative. She continued “Our business is our people, and by better connecting our passionate, skilled and customer focussed team under the Core Highways brand, we are better able to support our customers and their stakeholders.” Core Highways is a leading provider of temporary traffic management, barrier solutions and events signage with the ability and expertise to deliver across the UK, offering local knowledge on a national scale, from small schemes to major projects. For more information on Core Highways, please visit www.corehighways.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
