HS2 completes beam lift for A43 bridge

HS2 has completed a key stage in the construction of a new bridge over the A43 near Brackley by lifting the final steel beams into place. Concrete has played a major role in the foundations and support structures for the bridge, which will allow high-speed trains to pass under the busy road.

The bridge will carry the A43, which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton, and provides access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. The final beam lift was completed during the last of three weekend road closures, with the road reopening late on Saturday night.

Preparation work began in 2023 when HS2 engineers, working with National Highways, realigned the road to create an ‘island’ between the two carriageways. This created space for the construction of the new bridge deck.

Using a ‘top-down’ approach, the team installed 52-metre-deep piled foundations by sinking steel casings and filling them with reinforced concrete. Concrete was then used to form the pile caps, which distribute the load from the bridge piers to the foundations. The piers, also made from reinforced concrete, will support the 66-metre-long bridge deck. This weekend, a 750-tonne crane was used to lift the last parts of the seven steel beams that will carry the deck.

HS2’s senior project manager, Elizabeth Longinotti, said, “The A43 is a busy route, and I’d like to thank drivers for their patience over the last three weekends. With the beams now in place, we can focus on the next part of this complex project – pouring the concrete deck ready for the road to be moved onto the new bridge early next year.”

Bill Freeman, national highways route manager, added, “We’ve worked hard with HS2 to reduce disruption for road users. We also took advantage of the road closures to improve drainage and repair slopes along the A43, which should reduce the need for future works.”

The 80-kilometre section of railway near Brackley, including the A43 bridge, is being built by HS2’s main works contractor, EKFB, a team of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall. Kier Transportation handled the temporary road realignment to keep traffic moving during the work.

Timothée Scherer, EKFB’s deputy project director, said, “The successful beam lift marks a key milestone in the project. This progress brings us closer to completing this vital infrastructure.”

The next steps include building the concrete deck and parapets before moving the road onto the new bridge and beginning excavation work beneath it.