[VIDEO]HS2 M6 viaduct begins sliding process

The first section of the viaduct has been slid into place on the M6, near Birmingham Airport

The HS2 M6 viaduct will be 320 metres long, and span across the M6 and M42 link road.

The first section was slid into place using material similar to that found on non-stick frying pans.

This comes as just one of a recent spree of milestones achieved in the HS2 project.

First phase of the HS2 M6 viaduct was completed 11 hours early

It took just 29 hours to slide the first section into place, minimising disruption to traffic.

Using this staggered approach means that just three weekends are needed to get the viaduct East deck in place.

The first section was slid 119m out over the slip road. This piece will then be pushed out further as the next section is assembled behind it, meaning the final weight of the HS2 M6 viaduct’s slide will be 3,290 tonnes.

The first section of a major 320-metre-long viaduct was slid into position over the weekend. The ‘East Desk’ of the M6 South viaduct slid 119m out over a slip road adjacent to the motorway. Once complete, this viaduct will carry high-speed trains across the M6 near @bhx_official.… pic.twitter.com/gGS0D8A51U

— HS2 Ltd (@HS2ltd) June 9, 2025

“We are delighted by the innovation shown by HS2 and BBV”

Liam Kenney, HS2 Ltd’s senior project manager, said: “It’s great to see the first section of the East Deck in position over the weekend. Once complete, these twin viaducts will carry high speed trains over the M6 helping to improve journeys and free up space on the existing rail network for more freight and local services.

“I’d like to thank everyone who is worked so hard to deliver the first slide safely and efficiently opening the road to traffic 11 hours early.”

Victoria Lazenby, National Highways regional director for the Midlands, said: “We know that any work on our roads affects drivers and local communities and always try to keep that disruption to a minimum. So we are delighted by the innovation shown by HS2 and BBV in this complex engineering feat to reduce the impact on road users.

“We will continue to work very closely with HS2 to ensure minimum disruption on our roads and are grateful to people for their patience while this major infrastructure scheme is delivered.”

Russell Luckhurst, the Balfour Beatty VINCI’s engineer leading the delivery of the works, said: “This complex viaduct spanning the M6 motorway and adjoining slip roads is really beginning to take shape, now we’ve successfully moved the first section into place.

“It’s a huge achievement for the dedicated project team who’ve worked tirelessly over the past three years to reach this point. We’re now focussed on delivering the next phase, which includes two further launches later in the year.”

Tom Dutton, senior design co-ordinator for the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA DJV, said: “The launch of the first deck of the two-deck M6 Motorway South Viaduct marks an exciting milestone following years of dedicated design work. We have seen the design take shape as the foundations, piers, and abutments were constructed, and now the moment has arrived for the deck to be launched.

“The launch design is a fantastic example of collaboration between Mott MacDonald SYSTRA DJV colleagues in the UK and France, BBV, and their steelwork and launching contractor, Victor Buyck Steel Construction. Together, we have addressed the complex challenges of the temporary works and the fabrication of the steel diaphragm — not to mention the feat of launching the viaduct decks over the M6 motorway itself.

“This achievement is a testament to our collective effort and a fantastic milestone for the immediate team and the whole project.”

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