{"id":514303,"date":"2026-08-20T19:56:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T09:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=198367"},"modified":"2026-08-20T19:56:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T09:56:51","slug":"hs2-launches-final-viaduct-on-the-approach-to-curzon-street-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=514303","title":{"rendered":"HS2 launches final viaduct on the approach to Curzon Street Station"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

HS2 engineers have completed the first major phase of work to launch the Duddeston Junction Viaduct over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It marks the start of a huge operation to cross six railway tracks \u2013 three freight lines and three passenger lines – which is expected to conclude next summer.<\/p>\n

Duddeston Junction is the first, and longest, in a series of five interconnecting viaducts \u2013 known as the Curzon Approaches – which weave through Birmingham\u2019s industrial heartlands on the approach to Curzon Street Station.<\/p>\n

While Curzon 2 is visually striking, Duddeston Junction Viaduct stands out for its geometry and complexity. The structure follows a varying horizontal curve and has a three percent gradient, rising from the ground to sit 12 metres above the existing tracks. This makes construction, logistics and alignment significantly more challenging.<\/p>\n

This month, the engineering team behind the build and launch operation reached their first major milestone, as they successfully launched the first 170 metres of the 700-metre-long structure over two key freight lines that transport goods into the city.<\/p>\n

Tony Zakaria, HS2\u2019s Senior Project Manager for the Curzon Approaches said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLaunching the fifth and final viaduct on the Curzon Approaches is a clear sign of the progress we are making to bring high speed rail to Birmingham.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis final mile stretch of the HS2 route into the city centre is extremely challenging and we\u2019ve worked exceptionally hard, in conjunction with Network Rail, to plan the whole operation with minimum disruption to both passenger and rail freight services\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

HS2\u2019s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), began the extensive preparation works for Duddeston Junction Viaduct in 2023, moving major utilities and tackling heavy ground contamination ahead of diverting two of the three freight lines onto a new bridge and embankment.<\/p>\n

This vital step would create a safe working space for construction and assembly of the viaduct and its supporting piers and portals.<\/p>\n

To move the freight lines, BBV constructed the Duddeston Mill Road Underbridge. In partnership with Network Rail, the two railway lines were then re-aligned, establishing a 20m wide way between the existing lines. The realigned tracks cross the new bridge, creating the clearance needed for HS2\u2019s construction.<\/p>\n

The entire programme is being delivered in a heavily constrained site, with BBV\u2019s team of up to 90 operatives and engineers working in a tight space sandwiched between six live railway lines and a busy industrial estate.<\/p>\n

The weathering steel viaduct is formed of 14 spans, each around 55 metres long and cumulatively weighing up to 6835-tonnes. To successfully cross all six railway lines, the team must assemble and launch seven spans.<\/p>\n

Each completed span is added to the rear of the structure, which is then pulled forward, using a tried and tested slide technique.  After safely clearing the railway lines, the seven remaining spans will be lifted and lowered into place by crane on the opposite side of the railway.<\/p>\n

Ross Rendell, Section Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Duddeston Junction Viaduct is hugely complex and a key section of the HS2 route that will take trains in and out of Curzon Street Station.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 705-metre-long structure is being built inside a narrow space next to a live railway, where it curves above Birmingham\u2019s industrial heartland at an incline. The viaduct also crosses over six railway lines, adding further challenges to its construction. I\u2019m incredibly proud of the way my team has overcome these hurdles, as this huge viaduct continues to take shape.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Duddeston Junction Viaduct is supported by one abutment, two steel piers, four portals and eight concrete piers.  It is the longest viaduct on the Curzon Approaches by over 400 metres \u2013 eclipsing Curzon 1 which measures around 300 metres.<\/p>\n

HS2 and BBV are now working with Network Rail to plan for the next phase of works \u2013 crossing the passenger railway lines \u2013 which is scheduled to begin in December.<\/p>\n

John Emery, Senior Sponsor at Network Rail, said: <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to play our part in enabling the impressive yet complex installation of the Duddeston Junction Viaduct across one of the region\u2019s busiest rail corridors which is needed for our partners at HS2 to construct Britain\u2019s new high-speed railway.<\/em> <\/p>\n

\u201cThe striking new structure will eventually span all six lines of the existing railway which carries a mixture of over 200 passenger and freight services daily.<\/em> <\/p>\n

\u201cBy working closely with HS2 and adopting innovative engineering solutions where construction effects the existing railway, we\u2019re continuing to minimise disruption to passengers and freight as much as possible.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n

The HS2 route through inner city Birmingham is rapidly taking shape. Once complete, trains will emerge from Bromford Tunnel and travel in a cutting through Washwood Heath. They then begin their ascent through Saltley on a retaining wall, which connects to Duddeston Junction Viaduct. At this point, the high-speed railway is approximately 12 metres above ground, providing safe clearance over the six railway lines below.<\/p>\n

Network Rail and HS2 are also reminding passengers to plan ahead over the upcoming August bank holiday weekend,<\/a> when HS2 work will take place near Duddeston to install the first section of the new Saltley viaduct. The vital work will take place between Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August, with passengers advised to check before they travel using National Rail Enquiries. <\/p>\n

Image credit: HS2 Ltd<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>HS2 engineers have completed the first major phase of work to launch the Duddeston Junction Viaduct over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines. It marks the start of a huge operation to cross six railway tracks \u2013 three freight lines and three passenger lines \u2013 which is expected to conclude next summer. Duddeston Junction is [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16013,53,16017,343,47,16148,85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-514303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-interest","category-high-speed-rail","category-industry-news","category-infrastructure","category-rail-news","category-rail-projects","category-uk"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t