M6 to see closures for HS2 engineering works in the Midlands
Construction will take place in the West Midlands, with all planned closures carefully coordinated to minimise disruption for drivers. The project will see three major structures built over the M42 and M6 motorways, including a 300-metre twin box and multiple viaducts to support the new high-speed rail line. Agnes Usciak, senior project manager at HS2 Ltd, said: "The progress we're making on the viaducts and structures next to the M6 and the M42 is already clear to see, and over the next six months, we'll start bridging the gaps above the carriageways.
"It's been a huge team effort to condense this vast programme of work into just six weekend closures, and I'd like to thank all our partners for their co-operation and support. "Safety will always be our number one priority, which is why we need to divert traffic[1] away from the carriageway while we conduct these vital works." Construction will begin with the M42 works on the evening of Friday, June 26, where crews will install the roof deck for the twin box structure.
The Water Orton viaduct works will begin at 9pm on Friday, July 24. In Water Orton, two single-track viaducts will be extended to carry HS2 trains into Birmingham Curzon Street and the rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath. The M6 viaduct project will require just one weekend closure, beginning at 9pm on Friday, August 21, thanks to a construction method that allows most of the work to take place without stopping traffic.
Oliver Shore, project director at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: "We achieved a UK first last year, when we slid a viaduct into place over a live motorway, and we're delighted to be given the opportunity to repeat the process again this year over the same stretch of the M6. "Engineering innovations and extensive planning have played a major role in our approach to this vast programme of work, above the M6 and M42, and we've made every effort to minimise impacts for motorists and communities." The work has been reduced from nine to six closures through coordinated planning with National Highways, Birmingham Airport, and the NEC Group.
Closures will only take place from 9pm on Fridays to 5am on Mondays to avoid disrupting peak weekday travel.
HS2 Ltd will be hosting community information events in the coming weeks to inform residents and businesses of diversion routes and closure dates.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead, with full closure details available at www.hs2.org.uk/hs2-motorway-works.