HS2 engineers have successfully installed the final two of six large bridge sections designed to carry the high-speed railway over the M42 motorway. These viaduct spans were lifted into place at the Water Orton site in Warwickshire.
The installation occurred during a weekend closure of the M42, which ran from 21:00 BST on Friday to approximately 05:00 BST. HS2 Ltd confirmed that the works were completed in the early hours, allowing the motorway to reopen on schedule.
These viaducts form the upper part of the triangular "delta junction" for the high-speed railway, connecting Birmingham with the main line heading north. A separate team also installed the final deck beams for another major HS2 bridge, known as the twin box, during the same closure.
Further closures of the M42 are scheduled from 21:00 on 23 October to 05:00 on 26 October. These are planned to enable the installation of the viaduct's parapets. During these works, the M6 carriageway will remain open, with only the M42 north to M6 north connector road expected to be shut.