Engineers are preparing to deliver two huge construction programmes in tandem, as work progresses to extend the high-speed railway over the Midlands motorway network.
To minimise disruption for motorists, engineers will work on the Water Orton viaducts and the “twin box” structure over the M42 at the same time during three separate weekend closures in July, August and September. All structures are being extended over the M42 between Solihull and Water Orton.
For each of the closures, the impacts for motorists and subsequent diversion routes will differ, depending on whether works are taking place on the northbound, southbound or both carriageways.
HS2 engineers have spent over a year planning the motorway crossings, in conjunction with National Highways, and every effort has been made to minimise disruption and keep traffic moving. The works underline the scale of progress now being made on the high-speed railway, with huge feats of civil engineering taking shape across the 140-mile route between London and the West Midlands.
Twin box
In June, a team of 150 engineers began the four-phase operation to install 175 roof beams on the twin box covering both carriageways of the M42. Once complete, it will carry trains over a 300-metre-long section of the carriageway, near Solihull, while vehicles pass below.
During the first closure (26th – 29th June), HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) and its subcontractor, Expanded, successfully installed 50 of the 175 pre-cast beams required to construct the roof deck.
The team finished the weekend seven beams ahead of their original target.
On Friday, 24th July, they will repeat the process, this time working over the northbound carriageway, with a target to install 44 beams before the carriageway reopens at 5am on Monday, 27th July.
Water Orton viaducts
The construction programme was carefully planned, in conjunction with National Highways, so that the two single-track Water Orton viaduct extensions could be completed under the same weekend closures required for the twin box.
The two viaducts are already around 1200 metres long and work will now turn to bridging the remaining 135m gap over the M42.
Ahead of the closures, 108 viaduct segments are being assembled on land adjacent to the carriageway to form six giant 45m-long spans – each weighing 1,000-tonnes.
Once assembled, the spans will be moved into position using self-propelled modular transporters.
During the first closure, engineers will work on Water Orton 1 and Water Orton 2 viaducts in tandem – adding one 45m span to each viaduct.
Agnes Usciak, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager said:
“This summer marks the most significant programme of work yet to carry HS2 over the motorway network.
“We have a huge engineering challenge ahead of us, and our engineers will be working day and night to extend three huge structures in tandem.
“Motorists travelling on the southbound carriageway will have seen the roof deck taking shape on the twin box, and from Monday morning, the northbound carriageway transformation will also be clear to see.”
Oliver Shore, Project Director for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said:
“We have specialist teams ready to deliver the next exciting phase of construction over the M42 motorway this weekend. Our engineers will begin the process of extending the Water Orton viaducts over the M42, while a separate team will continue to install the next set of concrete roof beams on top of our twin box structure near Solihull.
“Both of these complex operations are taking place during the same weekend to minimise disruption to motorists as much as possible.”
Travel advice
The July M42 closure will impact J6 to 9 northbound, and J7a to 6 southbound, from 9pm on Friday, 24th July through to 5am on Monday, 27th July. This includes the M6 J4a southbound link to the M42 in both directions.
To allow construction materials to be brought safely into the works area, the M6toll will also be closed southbound at T2 from 10pm on Friday, 24 July until midday on Saturday, 25 July 2026 (customers will need to exit the M6toll at Junction T2). There will be a diversion route in place via the A446 southbound to M6 J4 then M6 southbound.
To facilitate the entire weekend construction works, there will be a further closure of the M6toll northbound connecting road between M6 J3a to T1 from 9pm on Friday, 24 July until 5am on Monday, 27 July 2026. There will be a diversion route in place via M6 J4 – A446 northbound to Junction T1 on the M6toll. Access will also be restricted from the M42 northbound.
Outside of these works, the M6toll remains fully open as normal.
In addition to the closures to support the twin box and Water Orton viaducts, works also continue on the M6 to push HS2’s M6 South Viaduct into position. These works have been scheduled to ensure they do not overlap with the M42 weekend closures.
Motorists are advised to follow the approved diversion routes, and avoid using sat navs where possible, as this may divert to different routes, causing congestion on local roads.
Ian Doust, National Highways’ Head of Network Planning and Development, said:
“The scale of what’s being delivered in this area by HS2 and their partners is remarkable, and the careful planning with National Highways means we can keep disruption to a minimum while this major infrastructure takes shape.
“Working on the Water Orton viaducts and the twin box simultaneously during these weekend closures is a deliberate approach to protect road users from repeated disruption over a longer period.
“We’d ask drivers to plan ahead for the upcoming closures, follow the approved diversion routes rather than relying on sat nav, and allow extra time for their journeys. Checking conditions before setting off will make a real difference.”
For more information about HS2’s programme of works over the motorway network, click here or visit www.hs2.org.uk/hs2-motorway-works
Upcoming closure dates for HS2 motorway works. Diversion routes will differ for each closure and will be confirmed in due course in conjunction with National Highways:
- From 9pm on Friday, 24 July to 5am on Monday, 27 July — Installation of the Water Orton viaducts over the motorway, alongside continued beam installation for the M42 twin box.
- From 9pm on Friday, 14 August to 5am on Monday, 17 August — Continued Water Orton viaduct and M42 twin box beam installation.
- From 9pm on Friday, 21 August to 5am on Monday, 24 August — The M6 South Viaduct West deck slide and parapet installation.
- From 9pm on Friday, 18 September to 5am on Monday, 21 September — Continued Water Orton viaduct installation and final beam installation works for the M42 twin box.
- 23rd – 26th October— Parapets installation for the Water Orton viaducts.
These works are subject to consent and change.
Image credit: HS2
