The road has been realigned over a new bridge to allow HS2 trains to pass underneath traffic
The HS2 A43 bridge is being built using a top-down method, meaning the structure is being built on the ground, and then the earth beneath it is being excavated afterwards.
The bridge realignment will allow the two carriageways to be reopened, allowing commuters to continue and avoiding disruption to the British Grand Prix.
The work was carried out over two weekend closures
The A43, a busy road near Brackley, was completely realigned in a multi-stage process over two consecutive weekend closures.
The road links Oxford, Brackley, and Northampton, with access to Silverstone and connections to the M40 and M1.
Preparatory works began in 2023 as HS2 worked with National Highways to realign the road and create an island between the northbound and southbound carriageways to allow construction of the bridge.
The top-down approach saw 52-metre-deep foundations being sunk into the ground and pile caps and piers being put in place to support the bridge deck above. Seven steel beams were lifted into place to support the concrete deck.
The road surface is now complete, and so the last two weekends have seen the finalisation of the direction of the roads to divert them across the new bridge, and excavation can begin to build the space for the trains beneath.
HS2’s head of delivery Luis Gonzalez said: “The A43 is a busy route between Brackley and Northampton and I’d like to thank drivers for their patience over the last two weekends, while we safely realigned the road over the new bridge.
“With the traffic flowing over the top, we can focus on the next part of this complex multi-stage project – excavating the cutting that will take the railway under the road.”
HS2 line taking shape slowly but surely
Earlier this month, the Burton Green tunnel, near Kenilworth, had its structure completed, marking a big step towards its full completion.
The tunnel is 16 metres wide and 700 metres long, and uses a twin-box shape to allow north and southbound trains to travel through the tunnel.
Doug Barnett, senior project manager for HS2 Ltd, said: “With the main civil engineering complete, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the 150-strong team on the ground, we can now begin the next phase of this exciting project.
“We look forward to working with local communities to bring the bold design vision for Burton Green tunnel to life, maximising the potential of this new green space.”
Learn more about the tunnel, and see drone footage of the project, here.
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