The final viaduct on the approach to Curzon Street Station, the Duddeston Junction viaduct, has been launched
The Duddeston Junction viaduct being launched marks the completion of the first major phase of work for a section that will cross six railway tracks: three freight lines and three passenger lines.
The junction is also the longest in a series of five interconnecting viaducts in what is known as the Curzon Approaches.
A complex construction
The Duddeston Junction viaduct is noteworthy for its geometry and complexity, with a structure following a varying horizontal curve with a 3% gradient. The whole structure rises 12 metres above the existing tracks. Therefore, the whole construction was a challenge.
The engineering team have therefore had to perform the operation in stages, with this launch of the first 170 metres being the first milestone. When finished, the structure will be 700 metres long.
The preparation works for this operation began in 2023, moving utilities and cleaning heavy ground contamination before diverting two of the three freight lines onto a new bridge and embankment, creating a safe working space as well as an assembly area of the viaduct segments.
Tony Zakaria, HS2’s senior project manager for the Curzon Approaches said: “Launching the fifth and final viaduct on the Curzon Approaches is a clear sign of the progress we are making to bring high speed rail to Birmingham.
“This final mile stretch of the HS2 route into the city centre is extremely challenging and we’ve worked exceptionally hard, in conjunction with Network Rail, to plan the whole operation with minimum disruption to both passenger and rail freight services”.
Work is now planned to begin the next phase in December, which will see the viaduct extended over the passenger railway lines.
The other side of the HS2 line has also reached a milestone
Earlier this month, it was announced that the first platforms at HS2’s Old Oak Common station have been completed, 450 metres underground, and are ready for further fit-out.
The platforms were completed with a mixture of on-site and off-site construction, with 1.59 metre high walls being cast in situ, and then slabs topping the walls were pre-cast. There are 1,946 of these slabs to cover the whole area.
Kim Kapur, HS2’s Old Oak Common area director, said: “Going into the underground box at Old Oak Common, you can immediately visualise how it will look as an operational station, including where passengers will board or alight HS2’s brand new trains. The scale of the work – and the station now taking shape – is remarkable.
“However, there is much more to do. This includes construction of the conventional, surface level platforms, completion of tunnels either side of the underground box and installation of the impressive station roof, which will begin next year.
“Old Oak Common will be transformative for the local area, providing a new transport hub, with a new vibrant neighbourhood developing around it.”
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