The steel span was moved into position over the Birmingham to Derby railway during a temporary closure, with further spans planned through 2026.
HS2 engineers have successfully installed the first section of the new Saltley Viaduct in Birmingham, moving the project into its next phase following a weekend-long construction operation over the existing Birmingham to Derby railway lines.
The 55-metre-long steel section was assembled beside the former viaduct before being transported approximately 125 metres into position using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). The operation was carried out during a temporary railway closure in coordination with Network Rail, allowing the route to reopen to passengers as planned on 1 September.
Four-phase viaduct construction
The replacement structure is being constructed after the original Saltley Viaduct, which spanned a 183-metre section of the B4114, closed to vehicles and pedestrians in May 2026. The original structure was subsequently demolished to make way for a taller replacement capable of accommodating HS2 trains passing underneath.
Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), HS2’s construction partner, is delivering the replacement viaduct in four phases because of the complex environment surrounding the structure.
The project crosses the Birmingham to Derby railway lines, the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, the River Rea and the future HS2 railway line.
With the first phase complete, engineers are now assembling a second 35-metre-long span. This section will cross the future HS2 railway line and is scheduled to be lowered into position by crane in October.
Two further spans will cross the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal later this year. Engineers will then complete the connection between the railway perimeter and the abutment supporting the structure.
A separate bridge over the River Rea will also be constructed as part of the wider realignment of the B4114.
Nic Ryder, HS2 Ltd’s project manager for the works, said: “Our engineering team is making fantastic progress and everyone worked incredibly hard over the Bank Holiday weekend to ensure we were finished in time for the railway to reopen.
“In the three months since the road closed, they have demolished the original structure and successfully installed the first span of the replacement bridge, putting us on track to proceed to the next phase.”
Design improvements planned
The new viaduct is expected to open to motorists and pedestrians in November 2027. It will be four and a half metres wider than the previous structure, creating additional space for cyclists and pedestrians.
The wider walkways will also incorporate LED lighting within the panels, forming part of the planned safety and design improvements.
The installation method was selected to limit disruption to rail passengers. BBV said it used the same approach as the neighbouring Aston Church Road bridge, where a bridge span was assembled away from the railway before being moved into position.
Dan Binns, Senior Project Manager for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “We chose the same technique used on the neighbouring Aston Church Road bridge two years ago, where the span was assembled next to the railway, before being driven into place on wheels to minimise the impact on rail passengers as much as possible.”
HS2 and BBV have also worked with Birmingham City Council, Transport for the West Midlands and National Express to maintain diversion routes and bus provisions during construction.
HS2 has awarded Birmingham City Council more than £2.5 million for road safety improvements along the route. The funding must be spent by the end of December 2026.
The installation represents the first completed phase of a wider programme that will progressively connect the replacement viaduct with the existing road network and future HS2 infrastructure.
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