A major milestone has been reached on the bridge replacement programme.

Skanska working in partnership with Network Rail and HS2 have placed the 2,600-tonne steel and concrete structure into position.

The bridge was pre-assembled in a compound adjacent to the existing railway lines before 18 Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) moved the structure into place. The installation period took just under three hours to complete.


Constructing the bridge onsite reduced carbon emissions and cut the number of lorry movements on local roads, therefore minimising the impact on the local community.

Patrick Cawley,Director for 'On Network Works' for HS2 and Network Rail, said: "Moving this 2,600 tonne bridge into place was no mean feat and the new structure will ensure Britain’s new zero-carbon, high-speed railway HS2 works in harmony with the existing rail routes into the second city.

"Huge amounts of planning and effort went into this complex bridge move and I’d like to pay tribute to all of those who've worked so hard to bring this impressive structure to Birmingham's skyline."