Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall (EKFB) have started the foundation works for a key bridge on the HS2 project in West Northamptonshire.
Working with ASC (a joint venture between Arcadis, Setec and COWI), EKFB engineers have begun work on the 52-metre-deep piled foundation that will support the A43 bridge over the high-speed railway near Brackley.
It follows a seven-month realignment of both carriageways of the major A-road last year with partners National Highways and EKFB’s subcontractor Kier Highways, to create an ‘island’ between the roads for construction of a new bridge deck.
The foundations will be topped with concrete pile caps and piers to support the 66-metre-long bridge deck that will carry the road.
Once the deck is complete, the road will be moved over the bridge and excavation will begin to create space for the almost 80 km stretch of railway to pass underneath.
The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1.
It is one of around 500 bridges on the HS2 project which connects London, Birmingham and the North.
“The team is thrilled to be at this point in the construction programme and the start of piling works signifies outstanding team collaboration to get it to this stage,” said EKFB project director, Tony Wehby.
“This is a complex set of works and is a unique construction project in itself that heavily leans on the expertise of the multiple contractors involved in delivering these works to a high and safe standard.”
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