HS2 to install roof beams over M42 ‘twin box’ near Solihull
The work will take place on the M42 'twin box' near Solihull, with trains running above and traffic[1] passing below. A total of 175 prefabricated beams will be installed over four weekends between June and September, each weighing between 56 and 92 tonnes. Agnes Usciak, senior project manager at HS2 Ltd, said: "This is a huge moment for the project, and a clear sign of the progress we are making as we begin bridging the gaps over the region's motorway network.
"This is British engineering at its very best, and it's fantastic that a UK-based firm has led the way in developing this innovative design solution for the twin box, with manufacturing taking place in the Midlands." M42 closures will be in place from 9pm on Friday, June 26 to 5am on Monday, June 29. The closures cover junctions 5A to 7 northbound and junctions 6 to 7 southbound.
HS2 has worked with National Highways to coordinate the closure schedule. The twin box structure is one of three major HS2 structures over the Midlands motorway network in 2026, alongside the Water Orton twin viaducts and the M6 South viaduct. A team of 180 engineers will work in shifts to install the beams, aiming to reopen the M42 by 5am on Monday, June 29.
Oliver Shore, project director at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: "This ambitious structure, spanning a busy stretch of the M42 motorway near Solihull, is a huge engineering challenge which has required precision planning and close collaboration with many stakeholders. "Now the supporting walls are complete, we're getting ready to move to the next exciting phase of construction, which is the installation of the roof over four weekend carriageway closures throughout the summer." Built using a modular construction approach known as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), the structure is designed to reduce onsite work and minimise disruption.
Tim Rowe, project leader at Expanded, said: "Throughout the planning for this project it was an underlining principle that there would be minimal disruption to road users. "Our modular bridge solution offers a quicker and safer installation to that of traditional bridge construction, leveraging the benefits of off-site manufacture to take risk and disruption away from the site and public interfaces." National Highways has issued detailed diversion routes for affected traffic, including access guidance for the NEC, Resorts World, and the National Motorcycle Museum.
Ian Doust, head of network planning and development at National Highways, said: "We appreciate that there will still be some disruption during these weekend closures so we would advise people to leave extra time for journeys and choose alternative routes if at all possible."