HS2’s main works contractor celebrates first completed viaduct

HS2’s main works contractor has finished the first of more than 50 viaducts along the high-speed rail project, following a two-year construction programme.  

EKFB, a joint venture made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall, recently installed the last stretch of parapets along the Highfurlong Brook Viaduct in Northamptonshire, achieving structural completion. 

The design was done by EKFB’s design partner ASC, working with architect Moxon. 

EKFB project manager, Scott Corsar, said: “We have achieved many ‘firsts’ with Highfurlong Viaduct, from the first viaduct to have its full deck installed to the first structurally complete viaduct on the HS2 programme following the recent installation of 136 parapets.  

“This would not have been possible without the hard work, consistency and collaboration of everyone involved with the structure, from our designers down to our operatives out on site.” 

The next phase of construction will include delivering the earthworks that support the railway at either end before a separate set of contractors comes in to install the rail systems, including track, signalling, power and communications systems.   

Construction and installation 

Consisting of seven spans, the 163-metre-long viaduct, near the village of Aston le Walls, crosses Highfurlong Brook’s floodplain at a height of around nine metres.  

Each span is made up of four beams weighing up to 56 tonnes and were lifted into position last year by engineers to form the backbone of the structure. 

Each of the beams, which are up to 25 metres long, were manufactured offsite before being delivered to site overnight. 

The deck, which will support the track and electrical systems, was poured in situ earlier this year, with the parapets along each side also made offsite and installed over the last four months. 

Highfurlong Brook Viaduct is one of around 500 bridging structures on the HS2 project which range from small road bridges and drainage culverts to massive viaducts like the record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct which will become the longest in the UK when its deck is completed. 

It follows Balfour Beatty VINCI JV (BBV) reaching the halfway point of the 5.6-kilometre Bromford Tunnel, HS2’s “Gateway to Birmingham”. 

HS2 between London and the West Midlands is expected to start operation between 2029 and 2033. 

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