Key HS2 road bridge opens
The A418 road bridge in Aylesbury has officially reopened, marking a significant milestone in the HS2 project. This new bridge, essential for connecting Aylesbury and Oxford, has been completed after a week-long closure for realignment work.
Constructed using innovative techniques, the A418 overbridge spans 103 metres and features 21 U-shaped precast concrete beams. These beams, manufactured off-site, ensure high precision and quality, contributing to the structure’s strength and stability. In a clever fusion of methods, the bridge’s deck and wing walls were cast in situ, allowing for seamless integration with the surrounding infrastructure and adaptability to site-specific conditions.
The use of U-shaped beams not only enhances structural integrity but also allows for effective load distribution, ensuring the bridge can withstand various stresses. This project exemplifies modular construction, where precast elements combined with on-site casting accelerate the construction timeline while maintaining durability.
Additionally, extensive planning allowed for the concurrent installation of over 10 km of power cables, 9 km of telecoms cables, and 1.5 km of gas and water mains, reducing future disruptions and enhancing the bridge’s functionality.
Ben Sebastian-Green, senior project manager at HS2 Ltd, commented, “The A41 and A418 are two of the most important roads into Aylesbury, so it’s great to have both bridges open to the public. I’d like to thank everyone in our supply chain who worked so hard to complete this work – and of course the local community for their patience during the recent road closures that were required to safely deliver the project.”
In addition to the concrete innovations, the project includes safety enhancements such as improved drainage and wider footpaths and cycleways. While most of the work was completed without major traffic disruptions, necessary closures for utility works were communicated effectively to minimise inconvenience. Throughout the construction period, pedestrian access remained open, and HS2 provided a free replacement bus service between the villages of Stone and Thame.
Ignacio Chicharro, project director at EKFB, which is responsible for the bridge construction, said, “The A418 realignment and new overbridge opening reflects the hard work and collaboration of EKFB, our subcontractors, designers, and the local authority. This project required extensive planning and coordination, especially due to the numerous utility diversions. We’re thrilled to reopen this essential road and thank local residents for their patience during the closures.”
The completion of the A418 bridge is a key step in the HS2 project, which aims to improve travel between London and the West Midlands while freeing up capacity on the existing West Coast Main Line for freight and local services. This innovative approach to construction not only enhances connectivity but also sets a new standard for infrastructure projects across the UK.
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