A major milestone in the delivery of HS2’s Interchange Station in Solihull was reached when 15 colossal bridge beams were successfully lifted into place.
A 20-strong team from Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) carefully raised the beams, which were hoisted into place on existing abutments and piers using a 650-tonne crane.
The concrete beams for the ‘building blocks’ of a road bridge that will take vehicles over the high-speed railway and onto the station car parks.
Collectively, the beams weight in at a total of 565 tonnes and are the foundation of the two-lane bridge, which will stretch 63.5 metres once finished. Due to be completed in early 2025, the next phase of construction will see a concrete deck placed on top of the beams, before parapet walls are installed and surfacing work can take place.
According to BBV, it represents the most significant structure yet built as part of the new station development.
Maddy Belgrove, site sub agent for BBV, said: “HS2’s Interchange Station is really beginning to take shape, now we’ve safely and successfully lifted the 15 bridge beams into place.
“This five-day operation required a huge amount of planning and precision, and I’m really proud of the way the team has responded to this challenge, especially during the recent bad weather.”
Ailsa Waygood, HS2 Ltd’s project client for Interchange Station, added: “We’re very proud to mark this engineering milestone and I’d like to thank everyone involved for delivering the operation safely and precisely during particularly challenging weather conditions.
“As we approach a new phase of construction, we are excited to bring our plans for Interchange Station to life. Interchange will be transformational for the Midlands, providing new jobs and supply chain opportunities, and becoming one of the best-connected transport hubs in the UK.”
HS2’s Interchange Station is expected to become the catalyst for huge growth in Solihull, driving economic transformation for the region. The plans, being led by the Urban Growth Company, will support 30,000 jobs, up to 3,000 new homes and 70,000 square metres of commercial space.
The new high-speed station will provide easy access to the nearby National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport via the Automated People Mover (APM) – an elevated mass transit system.
The 150-hectare site for Interchange Station sits in a triangle of land between the M42, A45 and A452. Once operational, the new station will serve passengers travelling on the new high-speed line.
The contract to build Interchange Station was awarded to Laing O’Rourke last year, with work currently underway on design. BBV is currently preparing the site where the new station will be built and carrying out preliminary civil engineering work – ready for full construction to start in early 2026.
Managed by BBV the complex operation to position the 15 beams was delivered by a team of 20 people in a space of just five days. The pre-cast concrete bridge beams were manufactured by family-run business Shay Murtagh Precast, with additional support from Sian Formwork Ltd and Ainscough Crane Hire to complete the installation work.
Main image: Interchange Station takes step forward with bridge progress
Read next: Historic buildings can help solve housing crisis, says report
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
