A new bridge has been installed on the Midlands’ motorway network to accommodate HS2 trains.
Workers built the 213-foot modular bridge across the M42 north of junction six over the weekend.
The site is near what will be the new Interchange station around 1.2 miles east of Birmingham Airport, connecting the high-speed rail line with the NEC, airport and wider Solihull borough.
The 2,750-tonne bridge structure was carried along the motorway on a self-propelled transporter by contractors Expanded, Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons.
It is the first of four bridges to be built close to Interchange with a second due to be installed over the A446 later this year.
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HS2 phase one will run between Birmingham and London and is due for completion by 2031 with the second phase connecting the West Midlands with the North West, East Midlands and Yorkshire.
HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston said: “This new road bridge is the first permanent structure to be installed along the route of Britain’s new railway.
“This represents an important milestone for the project and the West Midlands region which is already benefiting from thousands of jobs and renewed investment as a result of HS2.
“Constructing the bridge off-site and using innovative engineering practices to install it over the motorway enabled us to carry out the work in just two days, keeping disruption to a minimum for road users.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: “Seeing major construction activity like this in Solihull is hugely encouraging as it shows HS2 is now truly under way.
“In just a few years, the HS2 station at Interchange and further investments in public transport will help make Solihull one of the best connected places in the UK.
“This work also comes at a critical time for the West Midlands as we look to bounce back economically from the coronavirus crisis.
“Major infrastructure projects like HS2 have a critical role to play as they help stimulate demand and create and secure local jobs for local people.”