First stretch of HS2 viaduct to bring high speed trains into Birmingham is up

New pictures have been released of the first completed sections of the viaduct that will bring high speed trains into Birmingham. The images, released by HS2, show the first completed parts of Curzon Viaduct No.3 - the final approach to the Curzon Street terminus.

Viaduct No.3 will be one of five connected viaducts between Washwood Heath and Curzon Street Station in central Birmingham. Construction on the Curzon 3 viaduct, which will be approximately 300 metres long, started in November last year.

The completed six metre-high sections of the Curzon 3 viaduct are where the structures widen from a single deck to four separate decks, designed to maximise daylight in the public space underneath. The viaducts are being built by HS2’s Midlands contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI with a team of more than 200 people.

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Stephen Powell, HS2'’s head of delivery said: "It's fantastic to see the first sections of this viaduct revealed, giving a clear view of how HS2 trains will approach Birmingham city centre. Now visible, you can see how the separate deck sections maximise daylight underneath, and the V-shaped piers take up less room at ground level, providing opportunities for a usable public space that will add to the life of the city."

Georgios Markakis, Section Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI added: " We're entering a really exciting phase of the project now, as this iconic viaduct in the centre of Birmingham begins to take shape. These images revealed by HS2 demonstrate the enormous progress we’re making at our Curzon Street site.

"Using this momentum, we’re currently installing four parapets each day, while following the same process to complete the remaining deck spans, which we expect to finish in 2026."

Work has now started on two-thirds of HS2's viaducts and almost half of bridges, while more than a third of tunnelling is already complete. Construction of the new line, due to open between 2029 and 2033, is already at an 'advanced' stage. Work on Curzon Street station will begin next year.