The
first of the 32 piers that will support one of the pair of 1400 metre viaducts for HS2 at Water Orton in Warwickshire was completed during August. Cast in situ using formwork specifically designed for the project, the pier (left) is 18 metres (59 feet) tall. The viaducts will be two of the highest structures on the HS2 route and form part of the Delta Junction incorporating north and south spurs from its main line to serve Birmingham’s new Curzon Street station. Meanwhile, a 40 metre span of the Colne Valley Viaduct on the north western outskirts of London was put into place during a three-week road closure. This allowed cranes to be brought in to lift into position the 11 segments, each weighing 115-130 tonnes. The work on the span had been brought forward to the school holidays with the aim of minimising disruption. This August image (right), shows how the viaduct is taking shape, and the launching girder which has been used for positioning most of the other segments so far.
HS2