HS2 engineers are gearing up to begin reconstruction of Saltley Viaduct, facilitating the arrival of new high-speed rail services.
Situated two miles northeast of Birmingham city centre; the existing structure spans a 183-metre section of the B4114, which will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on 10 May ahead of a four-stage demolition programme.
The new viaduct will be two metres taller than the original structure
© HS2 Ltd
Once completed, the new Saltley Viaduct will be two metres taller, allowing the high-speed railway to be built below.
Reconstruction, which is set to be conducted in stages, is expected to take up to 18 months to complete, and is being led by HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV).
Both the demolition and construction programmes have been meticulously planned to minimise closures and impacts across the Birmingham and Derby line, Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, and River Rea.
The second major road bridge to be reconstructed in the Saltley, Washwood Heath and Nechells area; a network area beneath the viaduct has already been rerouted ahead of works commencing, with engineers now in the final stages of planning.
The new Aston Church Road overbridge recently opened to vehicles and pedestrians, and is set to form an essential part of the diversion route during the Saltley Viaduct works.
HS2 Ltd and BBV have worked closely with Birmingham City Council and Transport for the West Midlands throughout the planning stages, with extensive efforts made to establish safe and effective diversion routes – whether travelling by public transport, private vehicle, or on foot.
Victoria Roberts, HS2’s Senior Engagement and Interface Lead for the West Midlands, said:
We thank local communities for their patience ahead of this next stage of construction works and ask people to familiarise themselves with the approved diversion routes that will be put in place.
As some bus services will be rerouted, we’ve worked closely with Transport for West Midlands to ensure additional temporary stops and extra services will be put in place.
If you live or work in the area, please check before you travel and allow extra time for your journey.
The first phase of works will see changes made to existing rail services between Birmingham and Derby for two weekends (6-7 June and 13–14 June) whilst engineers demolish the former Aston Church Road overbridge and a section of the Saltley Viaduct directly above the railway line.
Following this, the remaining east and west sections of Saltley Viaduct – which cross the River Rea and the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal – will then be demolished, with the canal set to close to narrowboats and pedestrians from 14th July-17th August between Roving Bridge 97 and the M6 Viaduct at Salford Junction whilst works take place.
A pontoon will be installed to facilitate access during works, and HS2 has worked closely with the Canal & River Trust to communicate the planned diversion route via the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal using Aston Locks.
The bridge’s new superstructure is set to be installed in sections using a pair of different construction methods, with the span over the railway line fabricated on-site and then driven into position using a heavy-lift platform vehicle known as a Self-Propelled Modular Transporter, reducing potential installation time and allowing segments to be pre-assembled away from the structure due to space restraints.
The remainder of the deck will then be completed in sections, with cranes lifting the remaining steelwork into position.